Addressing Diabetes-related Complications

Southeast Asia is currently home to 90 million adults diagnosed with diabetes, and this number is expected to reach 113 million by 2030, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 2022. Out of these 90 million, 46 million remain undiagnosed.

- Ayesha Siddiqui

The delayed diagnosis of diabetes leads to prolonged periods of uncontrolled hyperglycemia, resulting in severe diabetesrelated complications, such as diabetic retinopathy (eye problems), diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), diabetic nephropathy (kidney problems), and cardiovascular diseases.

The vast number of people affected by diabetes, including many who are undiagnosed or at risk, presents a massive market for innovative treatments and preventive solutions. New technologies and novel treatment approaches offer hope for better prevention and management of these diabetes-related complications. Let's delve deeper into the efforts to address these complications.

The health complications associated with diabetes pose a mounting burden on healthcare systems. Various studies underscore the elevated risks faced by diabetes patients, particularly concerning kidney, eye, foot, and cardiovascular complications.

A study in Frontiers in Public Health shows a significant rise in the economic burden of diabetes in urban China, with increasing hospitalisation rates and diabetes complications. The study reports nearly 1.4 million deaths and $165.3 billion in diabetes-related health costs, indicating a substantial economic burden.

Australia faces a similar challenge. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals that approximately $2.5 billion is expended annually on diabetes management. Moreover, diabetes plays a pivotal role in exacerbating the economic toll of other prevalent conditions, such as heart disease (costing $2 billion per year), chronic kidney disease ($1.7 billion per year), and stroke ($660 million per year). Collectively, these issues impose a substantial combined annual expense of $6.86 billion on the Australian healthcare system.