Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a complex of syndromes characterized by hyperglycemia and abnormal glucose metabolism. Persistent hyperglycemia leads to a variety of specific microvascular diseases involving the eye, kidney, and the peripheral nerves. In addition, diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of macrovascular disease of the coronary, cerebral, and peripheral vasculature. It is estimated that approximately 6% of the U.S. population (approximately 14 million people) have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. An equal number of individuals probably have undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus has a major economic and health impact. In 1992 the direct cost of treating individuals with diabetes mellitus was $85 billion, and the total cost of caring for these individuals was $105 billion. Thus, one in seven health care dollars was spent on treatment of individuals with diabetes mellitus. Individuals with diabetes mellitus are two to three times more likely to be hospitalized and two to four times more likely to have cardiovascular disease than the rest of the population. They also have the highest incidence of blindness, chronic renal failure, and nontraumatic foot amputation. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of diabetes mellitus can prevent or delay the development of complications.