An analysis of NHS data released by the Diabetes UK last month indicates that the proportion of individuals diagnosed with diabetes in the United Kingdom has more than doubled in the past 20 years. According to the latest statistics, there could now be ~3.7 million individuals with diagnosed diabetes in the United Kingdom, as opposed to ~1.8 million in 1998.
Diagnoses of type 1 diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has witnessed a rise of ~100,000 in the past year alone. T2DM accounts for 90% of diabetes diagnoses, and there could be an estimated 1 million individuals currently living with T2DM who have not been diagnosed yet. Accounting this figure, the total number of individuals living with diabetes reaches 4.6 million. Assessment of diabetes prevalence rates across different regions in the United Kingdom shows the highest prevalence in West Yorkshire city of Bradford (10.4%) and the lowest in Richmond in London (3.6%), the national average being 6.6%.
Diabetes UK emphasises that 3 out of 5 cases of T2DM can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyle choices, educating individuals about risk factors and their reduction, and securing early diagnosis for high-risk individuals. An estimated 12.3 million individuals in the United Kingdom could be at risk of developing T2DM, obesity being the key risk factor. The obesity rates in England are alarmingly high, with 59% of women, 68% of men, and 22% children in the first year of primary school falling in the overweight or obese categories.
Expressing concern about the growing burden of diabetes, Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK said, "We want the Government to recognise the seriousness of the growing diabetes crisis, take action to help those at increased risk, and help us turn the tables on this devastating condition."
