The worldwide occurrence of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term, progressive disease that is now a global pandemic.
Type 2 diabetes is now a serious global pandemic. It is the most common form of diabetes and in developed countries it accounts for up to 95 Percent of all cases.
1 It now affects 285 million people globally – and without effective prevention and management the number of cases is predicted to rise to 440 million people by 2030.
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The impact of type 2 diabetes on patients
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires continuing medical care and ongoing patient self-management, education and support to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term problems. Diabetes care is complex and requires that many issues, beyond glycaemic control, be addressed. 2 Patients who do not control their blood sugar levels over time have a higher risk of developing serious, damaging complications that are a major cause of death and disability and lead to a reduced quality of life. 3
The long-term complications of diabetes include:
- Declining renal function leading to kidney failure
- Impaired eyesight
- Damage to nerves, leading to loss of feeling
- Poor wound healing
- Reduced blood circulation, especially to the feet
- Increased risk of stroke
- Increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack)
The management of type 2 diabetes
The overall objective of type 2 diabetes management is to achieve and maintain blood glucose control, and reduce the risk of long-term complications. It nearly always begins with diet and exercise, aimed at helping to reduce a patient’s bodyweight and control blood sugar. However, because the condition gets worse over time, additional treatments will be required to control blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and fats (lipids) in the blood like cholesterol and triglycerides.
Not achieving control with diabetes treatment over time can damage the kidney’s filtering systems and is a leading cause of kidney (renal) failure. About one third of all people with diabetes will eventually develop long-term, impaired kidney function4 which itself carries a greater risk of diabetes-related death and disease. For this reason, kidney function should be seen as a key aspect of type 2 diabetes treatment, ideally being considered at diagnosis and taken into account when deciding treatment options.
A new era in diabetes
DPP-4 inhibitors are a modern type of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes to effectively reduce blood sugar levels, both before and after eating food.
5–7 However, the currently available DPP-4s should not be prescribed for all patients. Especially not for those with kidney and heart
complications.
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At Boehringer Ingelheim, we understand the ongoing need to research and develop newer, targeted medications that are specifically designed not only to provide effective, long-term reductions in blood sugar levels, but also avoid the limitations and tolerability issues of the current treatments.
References
1. International Diabetes Federation. www.eatlas.idf.org (accessed April 2011).
2. American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes. Diabetes Care 2010;33(Suppl 1):S11-S61.
3. Amiel SA et al. Diabetic Medicine 2008;25:245–254.
4. National Kidney Foundation. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Report 11-10-0209. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/diabetes.pdf (accessed April 2011).
5. Galvus Summary of Product Characteristics (UK). January 2011.
6. Januvia Summary of Product Characteristics (UK). December 2010.
7. Onglyza Summary of Product Characteristics (UK). February 2011.
8. Competact Summary of Product Characteristics (UK). March 2010.
