Because of the worldwide increase in the incidence rates of diabetes, there is a compelling reason to estimate the lifetime risk, life expectancy, and burden of diabetes in the coming decades. These issues were examined using data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study and national mortality data. Based on rates of mortality and diabetes incidence observed over years 2000-2005, 38.0% of 25-year-old individuals would be expected to develop diabetes during their lifetime. On average, a 25-year-old Australian will live a further 56 years, 48 of these years without diabetes. Moreover, a 45-year-old Australian with diabetes can expect to live 6 years less than someone without diabetes. Finally, the prevalence of diabetes is projected to increase from 7.6% in 2000 to 11.4% by 2025. These numbers raise concerns and hopefully will worry governments, spurring actions and prevention strategies to minimize the impact of the growing diabetes epidemic.
Documentation centre