The global epidemics of diabetes in the 21st century: Current situation and perspectives

Diabetes is on the rise worldwide, with a global prevalence in adults in 2017 being 8.8% of the world population, with the anticipation of a further increase to 9.9% by 2045. In total numbers, this reflects a population of 424.9 million people with diabetes worldwide in 2017, with an estimate of a 48% increase to 628.6 million people by 2045. Depending on age, global diabetes prevalence is about 5%, 10%, 15% and close to 20%, respectively, for the age groups 35–39, 45–49, 55–59 and 65–69 years. On a global scale, diabetes hits particularly ‘middle aged’ people between 40 and 59 years, which causes serious economic and social implications. Furthermore, diabetes affects especially low and middle income countries, as 77% of all people with diabetes worldwide live in those countries. In addition to overt diabetes, an estimated 352.1 million people worldwide are at risk of diabetes, i.e. have defined pre-diabetes, a figure which is anticipated to rise to 531.6 million by 2045. Some 70–75% of all patients with established coronary artery disease, e.g. with acute myocardial infarction, show concomitant diabetes or abnormal glucose regulation, i.e. close to 50% have overt diabetes, with as many as 20% of those being undiagnosed and another 25% having pre-diabetes.