In the report included in this number of 7DM, dedicated to World Day, we find chilling figures that highlight not only the magnitude of the problem but the fact that its growth is implacable.
In 1980 there were about 180 million people with diabetes on the planet.In this decade, the figure already exceeds 400 million.And by 2040 it is estimated that it will have increased to 640 million.
The World Health Organization (WHO) directly attributes 1.5 million deaths annually, but recalls that it is also involved in another 2.2 million deaths due to cardiovascular diseases and other pathologies.In total, 3.7 million deaths.
As for diabetic retinopathy itself, one in three diabetics will develop loss of vision to a lesser or greater extent.
But despite this spooky avalanche of numbers there is a clear and diaphanous message that is necessary to send to the population and all the sectors involved in the fight against this disease: prevention.
Type 2 diabetes, which represents about 90% of cases, can be prevented.Maintaining adequate body weight and avoiding sedentary lifestyle can avoid the development of the disease.And in cases where it has already developed, early detection and adequate control will help prevent the dreaded complications of diabetes, such as the aforementioned retinopathy, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, diabetic foot or neuropathy.
Advancing in this sense means increasing awareness about the serious health problem that diabetes represents.And it also means that the involvement of all parties must improve, from politicians who make health decisions to health professionals - medical, nursing, educators ...– and patients themselves.
Primary care, as explained by the Diabetes expert doctor to which we have interviewed, Josep Franch, has a fundamental role to play.On the one hand, in the detection of all those cases of diabetes that are not yet diagnosed, which is globally estimated in half affected and in Spain above 40%.On the other, in the proper control of the glucose levels of the patients - there is currently an abundant therapeutic arsenal that has been demonstrated effective - and other risk factors that help prevent complications.And naturally, in the early detection of such complications, some of them simple to identify in time, as is the case of retinopathy that stars this year on World Day.
Finally, we must not forget the role of the patients themselves.It never hurts to insist that health education is essential to advance in the fight against diseases, as well as assuming responsibility for one's own health, adequately fulfilling prescribed treatments or following healthy lifestyles.
For all these reasons, although we must not forget the great impact of diabetes in terms of morbidity and mortality, it is also necessary to remember - acting - that many deaths, many complications and many cases are preventable with the involvement of all.
