Part I prevalence of diabetes Thiruvegappura village in Palakkad district Kerala : a cross section survey

Abstract

DEFINITION Diabetes Mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.[ Shoback et al 2011 ] Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance, which may be combined with relatively reduced insulin secretion.[ Shoback et al 2011 ] Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. 1.2 EPIDEMIOLOGY India has more diabetics than any other country in the world, according to the International Diabetes Foundation. The disease affects more than 50 million Indians. The average age of affliction of diabetes is above 40 years. India's growing middle class life style of high calorie food and low physical activities is considered to be one of the main causes for diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation in the year 2006 the number of people with type 2 diabetes in India is around 40.9 million and this is expected to rise to 69.9 million by 2025.The more disturbing trend is the shift in age of onset of diabetes to a younger age. 1.2 TYPES There are three main types of diabetes mellitus (DM). • Type 1 DM results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and currently requires the person to inject insulin or wear an insulin pump. This form was previously referred to as "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) or "juvenile diabetes". • Type 2 DM results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. This form was previously referred to as non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or "adult-onset diabetes". • The third main form, gestational diabetes occurs when pregnant women without a previous diagnosis of diabetes develop a high blood glucose level. It may precede development of type 2 DM. [Cooke et al 2008]