Health Minister Louis Deguara said yesterday that according to a World Health Organisation European Region report, the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus, among the top five of the most significant diseases in Malta, is expected to increase from 39,000 cases in the year 2000 to 57,000 by 2030.
In 2006, according to WHO, at least 190 million worldwide suffered from diabetes and its incidence is increasing rapidly and is estimated to reach around 366 million by 2030, the report states.
Addressing a seminar on the management of diabetes organised by the Malta College of Family Doctors in Attard, Dr Deguara said diabetes was the most prevalent risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the major causes of death.
Diabetics are 17 times more prone to kidney disease, and renal failure secondary to diabetes is the main cause of dialysis. It is also the most significant cause of adult blindness. It is estimated that the life expectancy of a diabetic is reduced by five to 10 years. Dr Deguara said that diabetic complications are, to a considerable degree, preventable, and even when the complications are present, their progress could be slowed down. The epidemic growth of diabetes and the increase of its complications with their serious social/economic impact demand a national response, as the burden to society will become progressively greater. Records show that diabetic patients are hospitalised two to three times more than non-diabetics.
In Malta, there was also the challenge of obesity, one of the major risk factors for diabetes.
He said 35 per cent of children in Malta between the ages of seven and 11 are overweight, a situation which presents serious implications for the future prevalence of diabetes and its other serious risk factors, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke.
Dr Deguara added that in terms of obesity, as well as in those who are diabetic, doctors were in the best position to educate their patients of the importance of weight control and increased physical activity. In fact, the message should be "eat less and work more", he said.