Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is global health problem and one of major causes of morbidity and mortality. The incidence of the disease is high worldwide and varies between population because of differences in genetic susceptibility and other modifiable risk factors. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease, characterized by hyperglycemia (increased concentration of glucose) and disturbance of glucose metabolism, as result of reduced secretion or insulin resistance or both
Diabetes as a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism that results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes is associated with reduced life expectancy; the significant morbidity associated with diabetes arises from microvascular complications, increased risk of macrovascular complications (ischemic heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease), and diminished quality of life Statistics for type II diabetes prevalence in developed and developing countries. An estimated 9.1% of the populations from the Middle Eastern/North African region have type II diabetes (32.8 million) in 2011, and this is projected to reach 60 million in 2030. The explosion of type II diabetes in this region, within the 20–79 age groups, accounts for about 280,000 yearly deaths in the Middle Eastern/North African region. About half of all diabetes-related mortality in this region occurs in people under the age of 60 years and more than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries International Diabetes Federation (2013) reported that, Egypt ranking to be the 9th in the number of people with diabetes (20-79 years), with 7.5 Millions in 2013 (Vs. 4.78 Million in 2010) and to be at the 6th position with 13.1 Million in 2035. Diabetes is a major emerging clinical and public health problem in Egypt. The cost of ambulatory outpatient care for DM in Egypt is one of the lowest for Mediterranean countries.
Types of diabetes:
1. Type 1 diabetes (T1D):
Formerly known as Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), characterized by hyperglycemia due to an absolute deficiency of the insulin hormone produced by the pancreas. Patients require lifelong insulin injections for survival. Usually develops in children and adolescents (although can occur later in life) (Alemzadeh, 2011).
2. Type 2 diabetes (T2D):
Formerly named non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), characterized by hyperglycemia due to a defect in insulin secretion usually with a contribution from insulin resistance. Patients usually do not require lifelong insulin but can control blood glucose with diet and exercise alone, or in combination with oral medications, or with the addition of insulin (Potter et al., 2013).
3. Gestational Diabetes:
Gestational diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels that is first recognized during pregnancy. The condition occurs in approximately 4% of all pregnancies. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. It occurs more often in African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos and people with a family history of diabetes. Typically, it disappears after delivery, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life

(American Diabetes Association, 2011).