The Other Side of the Revolution

Hi All

Shortly after writing my comment on the USA Today "Diabetes revolution" article, I had cause to re-visit a report by the US National Committee for Quality Assurance.

It's worth browsing through. Although it is specifically about the USA, I doubt that other Western nations, such as mine, are significantly different:

THE STATE OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY 2007

Scroll down to page 35 for some details on diabetes.

For example:

ABOUT DIABETES

• Almost 2 in 3 Americans living with diabetes will die from heart disease or stroke.

• For every 1 percent reduction in blood sugar level (HbA1c), the risk of developing eye disease, nerve disease and kidney disease is reduced by 40 percent.

• Every 10 millimeters of mercury reduction in systolic blood pressure in diabetics results in a 12 percent reduction in diabetic complications.

• In the U.S., diabetes accounts for almost 45 percent of new cases of kidney failure.

• About 65 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage. Long-term effects include impaired sensation in the feet and hands, carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve problems.

• Diabetics are more likely to die from acute illness such as pneumonia or influenza than those who do not have diabetes.

• Diabetic retinopathy causes 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness annually.

That doesn't sound much like a revolution in diabetes to me. More reports are available here: NCQA Newsroom

Cheers Alan