Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 422 million adults living with diabetes, and this number is expected to rise to 642 million by 2040.

It is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. However, diabetes can be prevented or delayed through early detection and lifestyle changes. In this article, we will discuss how preventing diabetes can save 200 million EUR and the importance of early detection.

Rising Costs of Diabetes

Diabetes is not only a health issue but also a financial burden on the economy. According to a study by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the global cost of diabetes was 825 billion USD in 2017.

This amount is expected to increase to 1.2 trillion USD by 2045. In Europe alone, the cost of diabetes was 145 billion EUR in 2017. Indirect costs such as loss of productivity and disability account for 68% of the total cost, while direct costs such as healthcare expenditures account for 32%.

Prevention Through Early Detection

The good news is that diabetes can be prevented or delayed through early detection and lifestyle changes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that individuals over the age of 45 should be tested for diabetes every 3 years.

However, if you have risk factors such as obesity, family history, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, or previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes, you should be tested earlier and more frequently.

The screening test for diabetes is a simple blood test that measures your fasting blood glucose level. If your blood glucose level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you have prediabetes.

This means that you have higher than normal blood glucose levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. However, without intervention, prediabetes can progress to diabetes within 5 years. The good news is that prediabetes can be reversed through lifestyle changes such as exercise, healthy diet, and weight loss.

The ADA also recommends that individuals with prediabetes should be tested annually.

Early detection of diabetes is important because it allows for early intervention and prevention of complications. Complications of diabetes include blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.

However, early intervention, such as lifestyle changes and medication, can prevent or delay these complications and improve quality of life.

If Diabetes is Detected

If diabetes is detected, it is important to maintain good glycemic control through diet, exercise, medication, and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. The target for glycemic control is to maintain an HbA1c level of less than 7%.

HbA1c is a blood test that measures the average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. Maintaining good glycemic control can prevent or delay complications of diabetes and improve quality of life.

Saving 200 million EUR Through Early Detection

By preventing diabetes through early detection and lifestyle changes, we can not only improve quality of life but also save money.

A study conducted by the IDF found that the cost of implementing a national screening program for prediabetes and diabetes in Germany would be 200 million EUR. However, the savings from preventing or delaying diabetes and its complications would be 1.5 billion EUR over a 10-year period.

This means that for every 1 EUR invested in screening and prevention, there would be a return of 7.5 EUR in savings from healthcare expenditures and loss of productivity.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a costly and debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. However, diabetes can be prevented or delayed through early detection and lifestyle changes.

By implementing screening programs for prediabetes and diabetes, we can save money and improve quality of life. If you have risk factors for diabetes, get tested today and take control of your health.