Trends in prevalence of diabetes in Asian countries

Diabetes is a major lifestyle disorder,the prevalence of which is increasing globally.Asian countries contribute to more than 60% of the world’s diabetic population as the prevalence of diabetes is increasing in these countries.Socio-economic growth and industrialization are rapidly occurring in many of these countries.The urban-rural divide in prevalence is narrowing as urbanization is spreading widely,adversely affecting the lifestyle of populations.Asians have a strong ethnic and genetic predisposition for diabetes and have lower thresholds for the environmental risk factors.As a result,they develop diabetes at a younger age and at a lower body mass index and waist circumference when compared with the Western population.The adverse effect of physical inactivity and fatty food are manifested as the increasing rate of overweightness and obesity,even among children.The health care budgets for the disease management are meager and the health care outcome is far from the optimum.As a result,complications of diabetes are common and the economic burden is very high,especially among the poor strata of the society.National endeavors are urgently needed for early diagnosis,effective management and for primary prevention of diabetes.This editorial aims to highlight the rising trend in prevalence of diabetes in Asia,its causative factors and the urgent need to implement national strategies for primary prevention of type 2 diabetes.     

Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in the Middle East and North Africa:Challenges and call for action

Type 2 diabetes continues to be a serious and highly prevalent public health problem worldwide. In 2019, the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world at 12.2%, with its associated morbidity and mortality, was found in the Middle East and North Africa region. In addition to a genetic predisposition in its population,evidence suggests that obesity, physical inactivity, urbanization, and poor nutritional habits have contributed to the high prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in the region. These risk factors have also led to an earlier onset of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents, negatively affecting the productive years of the youth and their quality of life. Furthermore, efforts to control the rising prevalence of diabetes and its complications have been challenged and complicated by the political instability and armed conflict in some countries of the region and the recent coronavirus disease 2019. Broad strategies,coupled with targeted interventions at the regional, national, and community levels are needed to address and curb the spread of this public health crisis.     

The rise of childhood type 1 diabetes in the 20th century

The incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes increased worldwide in the closing decades of the 20th century, but the origins of this increase are poorly documented. A search through the early literature revealed a number of useful but neglected sources, particularly in Scandinavia. While these do not meet the exacting standards of more recent surveys, tentative conclusions can be drawn concerning long-term changes in the demography of the disease. Childhood type 1 diabetes was rare but well recognized before the introduction of insulin. Low incidence and prevalence rates were recorded in several countries over the period 1920-1950, and one carefully performed study showed no change in childhood incidence over the period 1925-1955. An almost simultaneous upturn was documented in several countries around the mid-century. The overall pattern since then is one of linear increase, with evidence of a plateau in some high-incidence populations and of a catch-up phenomenon in some low-incidence areas. Steep rises in the age-group under 5 years have been recorded recently. The disease process underlying type 1 diabetes has changed over time and continues to evolve. Understanding why and how this produced the pandemic of childhood diabetes would be an important step toward reversing it.     

Intrauterine determinants of diabetic kidney disease in disadvantaged populations

Disadvantaged populations worldwide are experiencing an increasing incidence of kidney disease, much of which is attributable to diabetes. This report reviews the evidence that intrauterine exposure to growth retardation, diabetes, and vitamin A deficiency contribute disproportionately to the rising incidence of kidney disease in disadvantaged people, because they encounter these exposures more frequently than people from developed countries. These abnormal intrauterine exposures reduce nephron mass by impairing nephrogenesis, thereby increasing the susceptibility to kidney damage from diseases such as hypertension and diabetes that commonly affect disadvantaged people.     

Lean diabetes mellitus: An emerging entity in the era of obesity

Much has been published on the characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its association with the epidemic of obesity.But relatively little is known about the incidence of lean diabetes,progression of disease and fate of the patients with low-normal body mass index(< 25).Studies in developing countries have shown that the clinical characteristics of these patients include history of childhood malnutrition,poor socioeconomic status,relatively early age of onset and absence of ketosis on withdrawal of insulin.In the United States,recent studies showed that the lean,normal weight diabetes is not rare especially among minority populations.They showed that these patients are mainly males,have higher prevalence of insulin use indicating rapid beta cell failure.They might have increased total,cardiovascular and non cardiovascular mortality when compared to obese diabetic patients.In this review,the epidemiologic and clinical features of lean diabetes are presented.The potential causal mechanisms of this emerging diabetes type that may include genetic,autoimmune,acquired and behavioral factors are discussed.The need for studies to further elucidate the causation as well as specific prevention and treatment of lean diabetes is emphasized.     

Diabetic CKD/ESRD 2010: A Progress Report?

Both in the United States and many regions of the world, chronic kidney disease and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with diabetes mellitus have reached epidemic proportions in recent years. The large prevalent diabetic ESRD population in the US involves remarkable risk in African Americans and an increasing population of elderly diabetic patients, including many octogenarians. In the US and globally, over 90% of diabetic ESRD patients have type 2 diabetes. The multinational epidemic of diabetic ESRD has been linked to increases in the prevalence of diabetes in many populations, related to obesity, ageing, and physical inactivity. It is anticipated that the worldwide prevalence of diabetes over the next 20 years will reach a level twice that of the year 2000. The excessive morbidity and mortality of the diabetic ESRD population are well documented. However, the growth in incidence and prevalence rates for diabetic ESRD has remained somewhat stable in the US in recent years, and new data suggest that the incidence of ESRD expressed per diabetic population may finally be declining, suggesting that proven therapies are making “progress on progression.”     

Epidemiology of prostate cancer in Asian countries

The incidence of prostate cancer has been increasing worldwide in recent years. The GLOBOCAN project showed that prostate cancer was the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality among men worldwide in 2012. This trend has been growing even in Asian countries, where the incidence had previously been low. However, the accuracy of data about incidence and mortality as a result of prostate cancer in some Asian countries is limited. The cause of this increasing trend is multifactorial. One possible explanation is changes in lifestyles due to more Westernized diets. The incidence is also statistically biased by the wide implementation of early detection systems and the accuracy of national cancer registration systems, which are still immature in most Asian countries. Mortality rate decreases in Australia, New Zealand and Japan since the 1990s are possibly due to the improvements in treatment and/or early detection efforts employed. However, this rate is increasing in the majority of other Asian countries. Studies of latent and incidental prostate cancer provide less biased information. The prevalence of latent and incidental prostate cancer in contemporary Japan and Korea is similar to those in Western countries, suggesting the influence of lifestyle changes on carcinogenesis. Many studies reported evidence of both congenital and acquired risk factors for carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. Recent changes in the acquired risk factors might be associated with the increasing occurrence of prostate cancer in Asian countries. This trend could continue, especially in developing Asian countries.     

Incidence and Risk Factors for Perioperative Adverse Respiratory Events in Children Who Are Obese

Background: Consistent with the increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States and many countries worldwide, anesthesiologists are now presented with a greater number of adult and pediatric patients who are significantly overweight. This prospective study was designed to examine the relation between age-adjusted body mass index, preoperative comorbidities, and perioperative outcome in children.

Methods: Children aged 2-18 yr undergoing noncardiac elective procedures were classified as overweight or obese based on their age- and sex-adjusted body mass index. Information was elicited regarding patient demographics, presence of comorbidities, and anesthetic technique. Data regarding the incidence and severity of perioperative adverse events were collected prospectively.

Results: Two thousand twenty-five children comprised the sample (1,380 normal weight, 351 overweight, and 294 obese). Obese children had a significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities than nonobese children, including asthma, hypertension, sleep apnea, and type II diabetes. Furthermore, obese children had a higher incidence of difficult mask ventilation, airway obstruction, major oxygen desaturation (>10% of baseline), and overall critical respiratory adverse events. Logistic regression analysis revealed several risk factors for adverse events, including procedures involving the airway, obesity, age younger than 10 yr, and a history of obstructive sleep apnea.     

Epidemiology and economic impact of obesity and type 2 diabetes

Obesity has become a major public health concern in the United States and the rest of the world. This disease carries significant health risks that encompass several organ systems. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major comorbidity of obesity that predisposes patients to significant end-organ damage. The prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing worldwide, and the economic impact of these diseases currently assumes a significant portion of health care expenditure. These factors mandate implementation of therapeutic medical and surgical strategies that target prevention and treatment of obesity and its related medical conditions.     

Risk factors for mortality in children with diabetic keto acidosis from developing countries

Diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) is the major cause for mortality in children with Diabetes mellitus (DM). With increasing incidence of type 1 DM worldwide, there is an absolute increase of DM among children between 0-14 year age group and overall incidence among less than 30 years remain the same. This shift towards younger age group is more of concern especially in developing countries where mortality in DKA is alarmingly high. Prior to the era of insulin, DKA was associated with 100% mortality and subsequently mortality rates have come down and is now, 0.15%-0.31% in developed countries. However the scenario in developing countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are very different and mortality is still high in children with DKA. Prospective studies on DKA in children are lacking in developing countries. Literature on DKA related mortality are based on retrospective studies and are very recent from countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There exists an urgent need to understand the differences between developed and developing countries with respect to mortality rates and factors associated with increased mortality in children with DKA. Higher mortality rates, increased incidence of cerebral edema, sepsis, shock and renal failure have been identified among DKA in children from developing countries. Root cause for all these complications and increased mortality in DKA could be delayed diagnosis in children from developing countries. This necessitates creating awareness among parents, public and physicians by health education to identify symptoms of DM/DKA in children, in order to decrease mortality in DKA. Based on past experience in Parma, Italy it is possible to prevent occurrence of DKA both in new onset DM and in children with established DM, by simple interventions to increase awareness among public and physicians.     

Albuminuria predicting outcome in diabetes: incidence of microalbuminuria in Asia-Pacific Rim

Microalbuminuria is not an unusual finding in the general population, even in individuals without diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular risk factors. Prevalence studies in the United States, such as NHANES III, reported an overall incidence of microalbuminuria in 22,244 patients, with and without diabetes, of 7.8%. In those individuals with diabetes, the prevalence was 28.8%. Even in patients without diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or abnormal serum creatinine levels, the prevalence of microalbuminuria was still 5.1%. Similarly, a large Dutch study of 41,000 participants demonstrated a 7% incidence of microalbuminuria. In those individuals with diabetes, the microalbuminuria rate was 16%. Thus, in both the United States and Europe, prevalence studies indicate that microalbuminuria is not uncommon. In southeast Asia and the western Pacific, the incidence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly escalating. It is expected that by 2025 the major prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the world will not be in North America or Europe but in Asia-Pacific Rim. Consequently, there is great interest in evaluating the incidence of microalbuminuria in this region. In the Microalbuminuria Prevalence Study (MAPS) the prevalence of macroalbuminuria was noted to be 18.8% and microalbuminuria 39.8% in a total of 6800 hypertensive diabetic adult patients from 10 Asian countries. Thus, there is important evidence that the substantial prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria in the Pacific region indicates an impending pandemic of diabetic cardiovascular and renal disease.     

Anaesthetic management of the patient with diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. This results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The effects of diabetes include long-term damage, dysfunction and failure of key organ systems.The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in the UK, standing at 4.3% in 2005, compared to 2.8% in 1996. While the incidence of type 1 diabetes is static, the incidence of type 2 diabetes is rising rapidly. This trend is expected to continue, with some models predicting a prevalence of 9% (range 6.3–13.3%) by 2025.The burdens diabetes places on healthcare are great, both financially and on an individual patient's quality of life. Excellent anaesthetic management of the diabetic patient throughout the operative journey is key to a successful outcome and efficient use of resources.     

Trends in the incidence of renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease in Europe, 1990-1999.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) varies considerably worldwide, but we have lacked reliable quantitative estimates of trends in the incidence by age, sex and cause in Europe over the last decade. METHODS: We analysed data from nine countries participating in the ERA-EDTA registry: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and UK (Scotland). Adjusted incidence rates for age and sex were studied for 2 year periods between 1990 and 1999. Average annual changes (%) were estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: The adjusted incidence rate of RRT increased from 79.4 per million population (pmp) (range: 58.4-101.0) in 1990-1991 to 117.1 pmp (91.6-144.8) in 1998-1999, i.e. 4.8% (3.1-6.4%) each year. This increase did not flatten out at the end of the decade, except in The Netherlands, and was greater in men than women, 5.2 vs 4.0%/year. In most countries, the incidence rate remained stable for those younger than 45 years; it rose by 2.2%/year on average in the 45-64 year age group and by 7.0% among those 65-74 years; it tripled over the decade in those 75 years or older, and by 1998-1999 it ranged from 140.9 to 540.4 pmp between countries. The incidence of ESRD due to diabetes, hypertension and renal vascular disease nearly doubled over 10 years; in 1998-1999, it varied between countries from 10.2 to 39.3 pmp for diabetes, from 5.8 to 21.0 for hypertension, and from 1.0 to 15.5 for renal vascular disease. CONCLUSION: RRT incidence continues to rise but at various rates in the European countries studied, tending to widen the gap between them. This mainly results from enlarging differences in incidence in the elderly and, to a lesser extent, in that due to diabetes, hypertension and renal vascular disease.     

Diabetic nephropathy and end-stage renal failure: the Norwegian story

Diabetic nephropathy is the most common single cause of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in the Western world, recorded as the cause of renal failure in up to 40% to 45% of those entering renal replacement therapy (RRT) programs. However, marked differences exist between countries; the percentage of patients entering RRT in Norway because of diabetic nephropathy is 10% of the incident RRT population. The percentage in the United States is approximately 40%; therefore, the purpose of the present study was to compare data from Norway with data from the United States in an attempt to detect factors that might explain some of the differences. To make the comparisons as valid as possible, an attempt has been made to focus on populations of similar genetic make-up. The incidence of type 1 diabetes is a little higher in Norway than in the United States, whereas the prevalence of type 2 diabetes may be twice as high in the United States as in Norway; marked differences in the prevalence of obesity is probably a significant causative factor. There seems to be no striking difference in the prevalence of microalbuminuria in people with diabetes in the two populations, whereas there are insufficient data to compare the prevalence of overt proteinuria. The incidence of patients with a diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy as the cause of ESRF entering RRT in the two study populations showed marked differences; the incidence for 1997 was 8.9/million population in Norway and 113/million population in the United States. The proportion of type 2 diabetes was 46% in Norway and 64% in the US (1997). It is unlikely that the marked difference in incidence of RRT can be explained by differences in type 2 diabetes prevalence alone. The populations may not be directly comparable, and differences in the size of study populations and in the choice of renal diagnosis in patients with diabetes as a comorbid factor at the beginning of RRT may introduce uncertainties. Further, data on other factors--such as incidence of death before RRT is indicated, quality of care, and health care delivery, expressed as degree of blood pressure and metabolic control--were not available. Differences in acceptance of diabetes patients into RRT programs are not believed to contribute significantly. Norway is seeing a development toward increasing body weight and a change toward a more sedentary lifestyle, together with an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes earlier in life than has previously been the case. An increase in diabetic nephropathy and need for RRT because of type 2 diabetes must therefore be expected in Norway. To understand differences and to best design preventive programs, further comparative studies of the two populations seem warranted.     

Diagnosis,treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents

During the last two decades, there have been several reports of an increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents, especially among those belonging to minority ethnic groups. This trend, which parallels the increases in prevalence and degree of pediatric obesity, has caused great concern, even though T2DM remains a relatively rare disease in children. Youth T2DM differs not only from type 1 diabetes in children, from which it is sometimes difficult to differentiate, but also from T2DM in adults, since it appears to be an aggressive disease with rapidly progressive β-cell decline, high treatment failure rate, and accelerated development of complications. Despite the recent research, many aspects of youth T2DM still remain unknown, regarding both its pathophysiology and risk factor contribution, and its optimal management and prevention. Current management approaches include lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and increased physical activity, together with pharmacological interventions, including metformin, insulin, and the recently approved glucagon-like peptide-1 analog liraglutide. What is more important for everyone to realize though, from patients, families and physicians to schools, health services and policy-makers alike, is that T2DM is a largely preventable disease that will be addressed effectively only if its major contributor (i.e., pediatric obesity) is confronted and prevented at every possible stage of life, from conception until adulthood. Therefore, relevant comprehensive, coordinated, and innovative strategies are urgently needed.     

Individualized risk management in diabetics: how to implement best practice guidelines--design and concept of the IRIDIEM studies

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is rising rapidly in all developed countries, particularly in the growing population of persons >50 years of age. As a dangerous consequence, this is accompanied by a proportionate increase in the incidence of chronic renal disease. Evidence-based medicine has shown that tight blood glucose control can delay the onset and retard the progression of diabetic complications, and while it is a challenge to closely manage the complexity of diabetes, it is more difficult to effectively treat the multiple associated comorbidities that develop. Best practice guidelines support early intervention and aggressive treatment of hypertension, hyperglycaemia, proteinuria, hypercholesterolemia, and anaemia. To date, guideline-based management has been proven to be difficult. This article describes the concept of the IRIDIEM studies. The objective of these studies is to endorse and facilitate the use of current best practice guidelines for the management of frequent comorbid diseases and established risk factors in the treatment of type 2 diabetes associated with chronic kidney disease. Additionally, IRIDIEM will assess the impact of this improved disease management model on the progression of chronic kidney disease that can result from electronically prompting clinicians with evidence-based treatment advice.     

Diabetic nephropathy in children and adolescents

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) commonly occurs in childhood or adolescence, although the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in these age groups is now being seen worldwide. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) develops in 15–20% of subjects with T1DM and in similar or higher percentage of T2DM patients, causing increased morbidity and premature mortality. Although overt DN or kidney failure caused by either type of diabetes are very uncommon during childhood or adolescence, diabetic kidney disease in susceptible patients almost certainly begins soon after disease onset and may accelerate during adolescence, leading to microalbuminuria or incipient DN. Therefore, all diabetics warrant ongoing assessment of kidney function and screening for the earliest manifestations of renal injury. Pediatric health care professionals ought to understand about risk factors, strategy for prevention, method for screening, and treatment of early DN. This review considers each form of diabetes separately, including natural history, risk factors for development, screening for early manifestations, and strategy recommended for prevention and treatment of DN in children and adolescents.     

Hypertensive kidney disease in African Americans

SUMMARY: End-stage renal disease is a significant public health problem in both developed and developing countries. The magnitude and pattern of renal disease varies between countries. This variability could probably be explained by the racial and ethnic composition. The United States is a typical example, showing significant racial and ethnic differences in the magnitude and pattern of renal disease. African Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders are disproportionately afflicted with end-stage kidney failure (ESRD), compared with Caucasians and Asians. Whereas diabetes mellitus, primarily type 2, is the predominant cause of renal disease (and ESRD) in the US, and prominently in Native Americans, hypertensive kidney disease is the most prevalent cause of ESRD in African Americans. Some of the suggested reasons for the increased incidence and prevalence of hypertensive kidney disease in African Americans include the higher prevalence and severity of hypertension, especially in the early years of life, lower socio-economic status leading to inadequate health care, a greater propensity towards developing intrinsic renal vascular disease, a greater tendency towards developing target organ damage at 'normal' blood pressure levels, and the use of drugs that are less renoprotective to treat their blood pressure.     

Bariatric surgery

Obesity and metabolic syndrome is considered an epidemic in Western societies. An adult is considered to be obese with a BMI of 30 or above. Obesity imposes a significant human burden of disease, mortality, social exclusion and poor quality of life. It is closely associated with multiple comorbidities including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and poor health status, and has a substantial human cost by contributing to the onset of disease and premature mortality. Surgical interventions are significantly more effective than non-surgical therapies for the treatment of severe obesity, reduction of cardiovascular morbidities, prevention of some cancers, type 2 diabetes and improved quality of life. Although there are various surgical options, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is considered the gold standard; sleeve gastrectomy is now the second most common procedure having replaced gastric banding with mini-gastric bypass the third worldwide. Endoscopic procedures are also growing in popularity but are still under research. A robust hospital infrastructure with multidisciplinary approach is crucial for a bariatric service including appropriate staffing and facilities to provide pre- and perioperative care. As the bariatric practice is increasing worldwide, it is essential to safeguard the standard of bariatric training to ensure surgical competence and patient safety.