A comprehensive global study reveals that almost half of people with diabetes do not even know that they have the disease, and young adults are the most neglected.
A large part of the population with diabetes around the world has not yet been diagnosed or It is not receiving ideal careconcludes a new study by the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Although most patients diagnosed receive treatment, less than half It gets proper control of blood sugar levels, which leaves only one in five people with well -controlled diabetes.
In the course of, recently published in Diabetes & Endocrinologythe researchers analyzed the diabetes cascade of care for all ages, both sexes, and 204 countries and territories between 2000 and 2023.
In 2023, it is estimated that 44% of people aged 15 and over With diabetes they were unaware of their condition. The underdiagnosis was greater among young adults, despite facing higher risks of long -term complications.
Among those who were diagnosed, 91% were in some form of pharmacological treatment. However, of those who received treatment, Only 42% had their blood sugar levels Ideally controlled.
These data mean that only 21% of all people with diabetes World level are ideally controlling their condition.
Despite improvements over two decadesthe study also found substantial regional disparities In diagnosis and treatment, particularly in low and medium yield countries.
“Until 2050, it is expected that 1.3 billion people live with diabetesand if almost half do not know that it has a severe and potentially deadly health condition, it can easily become a silent epidemic“, Warns the first author of the study, Lauryn Staffordquoted by.
Given the rhythm to which cases are increasing rapidly, the investigation underlines the urgent need for investment in screening programs For younger populations and access to medicines and glucose monitoring tools, especially in needy regions.
