Diabetes Mellitus
Date: 19/02/2024
Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is a common metabolic disease. There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs mainly in children, adolescents and young adults and is caused by an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is more common in adults. Type 2 diabetes usually first manifests itself after the age of 40, but can also occur in younger people. Women are also affected by gestational diabetes, which usually resolves after pregnancy but increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Current results of the Robert Koch Institute show that a total of 7.2% of adults aged between 18 and 79 have been diagnosed with diabetes at some point in their lives. As compared to the "German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998" (GNHIES98), this represents a 2% increase in prevalence. A further 2.0 % of adults (1.3 million) have an undetected diabetes. According to the current state of knowledge, about 90 % of all diabetes cases can be attributed to type 2 diabetes.
Poorly controlled diabetes or diabetes which remains undiagnosed for a long period of time is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney malfunctions, blindness and foot amputations. These result in a reduced quality of life and life expectancy in affected persons as well as high costs for the health system.
Activities at Robert Koch Institute
Within the framework of health monitoring, the Robert Koch Institute continuously collects data on the prevalence of diabetes as well as of diabetes-specific complications and comorbidities. Associations with behaviour (such as diet, physical inactivity and associated overweight) and living conditions (such as personal and regional social factors) are investigated. In addition, markers of glucose metabolism are measured in the interview and examination surveys.
Within the framework of the research project "Establishment of a National Diabetes Surveillance" at the Robert Koch Institute, a regular indicator-based diabetes reporting based on primary data of the health monitoring at the Robert Koch Institute as well as on relevant secondary data at the federal and regional level is being developed.