Fardeau du diabète et inégalités d’accès aux traitements - Pr. Pascal BAYAOULI

Summary

This presentation highlights the global burden of diabetes mellitus, emphasizing the growing number of people affected, particularly in developing countries. The speaker discusses the alarming statistics, including 500 million diabetics in 2021, with projections for 2045 reaching 800 million. It underscores the serious health consequences of poorly managed diabetes, such as chronic complications and premature deaths, especially in regions like Africa. The talk also addresses the lack of sufficient resources and healthcare access, urging a global call for increased investment in prevention, treatment, and education to combat diabetes and its devastating impacts on individuals and economies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases involving chronic high blood sugar levels due to abnormal insulin secretion or action, leading to both acute and chronic complications.
• 😀 In 2021, over 500 million people under 20 were living with diabetes, with this number expected to rise to approximately 800 million by 2045.
• 😀 An additional 500 million people were diagnosed with prediabetes in 2021, highlighting a global issue of abnormally high blood sugar.
• 😀 More than three out of every four adults with diabetes live in developing countries, where resources for managing the disease are often insufficient.
• 😀 Diabetes was responsible for approximately 7 million deaths in 2021, underscoring the disease's global burden.
• 😀 Global diabetes care spending reached $1 trillion in 2021, with most of these expenses coming from developed countries, while developing nations struggle with inadequate resources.
• 😀 Glycated hemoglobin levels, an important marker of diabetes control, are often poorly managed in many regions, especially in Africa, where the average level exceeds 10%.
• 😀 Many diabetic patients in Africa are unaware of their condition until complications arise, leading to higher rates of preventable deaths and suffering.
• 😀 In countries with limited healthcare resources, diabetes can exacerbate poverty, as people with the condition are unable to contribute productively to society due to illness and death.
• 😀 There is a significant gap in healthcare spending between regions, with Africa receiving the least funding for diabetes management despite having a large number of diabetics.
• 😀 Diabetes prevention and management are possible through lifestyle changes, including maintaining a healthy weight, diet, and regular physical activity, but access to healthcare and treatment remains a challenge in many countries.

Q & A

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by chronic high blood sugar levels due to abnormal insulin secretion, its action, or both. This condition exposes individuals to both acute and chronic complications over time.

How many people worldwide were living with diabetes in 2021?

According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 500 million people under the age of 20 were living with diabetes or had lived with it in 2021, with an expected increase to approximately 800 million by 2045.

What is the significance of prediabetes in relation to diabetes mellitus?

Prediabetes, the stage before the development of type 2 diabetes, affects more than 500 million people globally in 2021. This indicates that approximately 1 billion people worldwide had abnormally high blood sugar levels in 2021.

What are the disparities in diabetes management between developed and developing countries?

Developed countries allocate significant resources for diabetes care, whereas in many developing nations, especially in Africa, the budget for diabetes management is extremely low. This leads to poor monitoring, high mortality rates, and worsening poverty.

How does the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reflect diabetes control?

The glycated hemoglobin level is used to assess diabetes control. Ideally, it should be under 7%. However, the global average for diabetic patients is between 8-9.5%, with African patients often exceeding 10%, indicating poor control and a higher risk of complications.

What are the main challenges faced by diabetic patients in Africa?

In Africa, challenges include poor monitoring of diabetes, inadequate healthcare resources, a lack of awareness, and high rates of untreated or uncontrolled diabetes. Additionally, socio-cultural factors and inadequate healthcare staff training further exacerbate the situation.

What are the consequences of untreated diabetes?

Untreated diabetes can lead to chronic complications such as blindness, diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, heart disease, and stroke. These complications significantly impact the quality of life and can result in early death.

How much does diabetes care cost in low-income countries?

In some studies, the monthly cost of diabetes care, including consultation, exams, hospitalization, and medications, is estimated to be around $300. This cost is unaffordable for many people in low-income countries.

What role does obesity play in the development of diabetes mellitus?

Obesity is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Preventing obesity through a healthy diet and regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.

What are the primary factors that contribute to the high mortality rate among diabetics in Africa?

The high mortality rate among diabetics in Africa is due to a combination of poor healthcare resources, lack of proper monitoring, delayed diagnosis, insufficient access to treatment, and socio-cultural issues that prevent proper disease management.