The Global Burden of Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges of the twenty-first century. The prevalence of type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide due to a combination of improved survival and an increase in incidence, thought to be driven by environmental and lifestyle-related changes, such as rapid weight gain and/or inappropriate feeding in infancy. In 2019, it was estimated that 9.3% of all adults aged 20–79years were living with diabetes, with the majority assumed to be type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of Gestational diabetes mellitus, one of the most common pregnancy complications, has increased by more than 30% within one or two decades in several countries, including some developing countries. Macrovascular, or cardiovascular disease, complications of diabetes include coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Microvascular complications of diabetes include lower-extremity amputations, end-stage renal disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy.