>> Across Germany, around 7.3 percent of the adult population suffers from diabetes mellitus. The prevalence is less than 2 percent in people under 45 years of age, but increases significantly with age (see GBE compact, 3/2011 or GEDA 2009; overall prevalence for types 1 and 2). However, estimates of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Germany and forecasts of growth rates vary depending on the source. If it is assumed that around 6 million people with diabetes live in Germany, it can be assumed that caring for those suffering from diabetes is associated with high health costs. For 2008, the Federal Statistical Office estimated the direct costs of caring for people with diabetes at 6.3 billion euros. This corresponds to a share of 2.5 percent of health expenditure for all diseases - and the trend is rising (GBE compact, 3/2011).
Depending on the individual clinical picture, the extent and type of symptoms as well as the risks of secondary diseases, the therapy differs from patient to patient. At its core, however, it consists of regulating blood sugar levels through antidiabetic drugs.

....

Citation information: doi: 10.24945/MVF.06.14.1866-0533.1967

... subscribers can find the detailed interview in archive