Type 2 diabetes has become one of the pandemics of the 21st century.He can collapse health systems by 2040, as it will affect 642 million people worldwide.The prevalence data of the DECODE study (Epidemiology Diabetes: Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe) indicate that in the countries of the European Union, those affected by type 2 diabetes have increased by 20%.

50% of people with diabetes do not even know, which in Spain represents 2.3 million affected.Rafael Gabriel, epidemiologist and member of the National Health School of the Carlos III Institute, explains that most cases are not properly diagnosed."Doctors have the responsibility of learning to diagnose diabetes well," he emphasizes.Currently in the world a person dies every seven seconds because of un controlled diabetes.He insists, even, that every weekend more patients die from this disease than due to traffic accidents."Now we do not have only diabetics, but also prediabetic," says the epidemiologist, which is why he defends that early diagnosis is fundamental.

On that need to lower the diabetes thesis and, above all, to locate those who could be prediabetic manifest Andoni Lorenzo, president of the Spanish Diabetes Federation (Fede), which ensures that "today there are 2 million without diagnosing"With that objective, the Fede has worked to launch, together with the Patia biotechnological company, the 'Diabetes Prevent' tool, which allows people to identify at risk of type 2 diabetes. The basis for this prevention program has been studies onDiabetes promoted by the Carlos Slim Health Foundation and prepared by MIT and Harvard University.

The tool, recommended for people with a family history of diabetes, works through the identification of genetic variables that show the predisposition to being diabetic.It has a test that can be done from home, as well as a control 'app'.The user will only have to take a sample of mouth DNA with the material received in the 'Diabetes Prevent' pack, fill in a test and notify the Patia team to agree on the collection.

Through the mobile application, the user can control how many daily calories ingest and how many is burning.In addition to controlling food, you can also measure your physical activity.For Laureano Simon, CEO of Patia, we must not limit the consequences of diabetes, but to use tools like this that allow us to detect it as soon as possible.

Between 6% and 12% of Spaniards are diabetic

According to Decode study data, between 6 and 12% of Spaniards are diabetic.In addition, as Rafael Gabriel explains, the first problems begin with glucose metabolism disorders that "currently present them 25 % of the population, and probably 50 % will have them in the future."

The risks that increase the possibility of having diabetes are mainly lack of exercise, 30 minutes of exercise per day will be done, and not carry an adequate diet.In addition, it can arise following the complication in other diseases, "hypertensive have a greater risk of being diabetic, but eat fruits and vegetables, and feed mainly with saturated fats."

The epidemiological data of this report reveal that the Mediterranean coast is the area in which the disease presents the disease because it is one of the most obesity territories.While the Canary Islands is the point in Europe that has the highest incidence in diabetes.

Gabriel explains that "obesity and diabetes are brothers," they go hand in hand.In addition, prediabetes presents many other risks such ascardiovascular problems or stroke, not just an overweight.Andoni Lorenzo also insists on the strong relationship between diabetes and obesity, "one in six people in Spain is Obesa."This last year 25,000 people died in Spain and three million worldwide due to diabetes. "

He has also insisted that we have to change the health model of Spain, "at the economic level it is unsustainable.""If we evolve towards the chronicity model based on orientation and training, we can make complications disappear," he explains.Therefore, he insists that the main risk is that in Spain "there is no awareness about the problem of diabetes."

Source: The world