Experts decry rise in diabetes cases in Nigeria

Head of the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism division of the Department of Medicine in the College of Medicine the University of Lagos (CMUL) and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, Prof. Femi Fasanmade, said that the rise in cases of diabetes is due to lifestyle and diet changes accompanying westernization. Fasanmade said there are now about 10 -11 million people with diabetes in Nigeria and the disease is now the commonest cause/factor in lower extremity amputation and kidney failure. The diabetologist said obesity and diabetes also increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, blindness and cancer. To address the situation, he recommended increased physical activity, weight loss, a healthy diet and regular check-ups for early detection.

A cancer expert, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, told reporters “Yes, globally, there has been an alarming rise in the prevalence of diabetes over the past few decades. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that as of 2019, approximately 463 million adults were living with diabetes worldwide and this number is expected to rise to 700 million by 2045.”

Several studies have shown that more people, especially teenagers are developing diabetes and are at greater risk of limb amputation, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, blindness and cancer. She said several factors are contributing to this surge. Okoye explained: “Consumption of processed foods high in sugars and unhealthy fats has increased substantially. These diets contribute to obesity, which is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

“Sedentary lifestyles, fuelled by changes in work nature, technology, and urbanization, have led to reduced physical activity. Exercise helps control body weight and improve insulin sensitivity.

“People are living longer due to advances in healthcare. Since the risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age, a larger elderly population results in more diabetes cases.

“Individuals with a family history of diabetes are more prone to developing the condition, but lifestyle factors usually trigger its onset.”

The physician said addressing this rising trend involves prevention, early detection, management, policy and infrastructure, and research and development. The medical doctor explained: “Promote healthier diets and regular physical activities. Governments, communities, and businesses can work together to make fruits, vegetables, and whole grains more accessible and promote urban planning that encourages walking or cycling.

“Screen for diabetes in populations at risk. Early detection can lead to earlier intervention and can delay or prevent the onset of diabetes complications.

“Ensuring that people with diabetes have the necessary resources to manage their condition is key. This includes access to medication, routine check-ups, expert advice, and education about managing diabetes.

“Policies and health infrastructure should support initiatives for preventative health, early detection, and treatment of diabetes. This includes regulation of food and promoting the availability of health resources.

“Continued investment in research is essential to better understand diabetes, develop new treatments, and improve care.” She said these solutions would require collective action from individuals, healthcare providers, health agencies, and governments alike.

According to research published in the Lancet, the number of people worldwide with diabetes is projected to more than double in the next three decades, reaching 1.3 billion by 2050. The researchers found that 529 million people had diabetes in 2021 and that the climb in diabetes numbers would increase the prevalence of the disease from six per cent of the world’s population to nearly 10 per cent by 2050. The study’s findings are based on the analysis of data from more than 27,000 sources in 204 countries and territories.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when a person’s blood sugar (glucose) level is too high. Ideally, the body converts most of the food you eat into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream, and the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone, to help get the glucose into the cells for energy. For people who have diabetes, however, the body may make little or no insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or may not make or use insulin properly (Type 2), leaving too much glucose in the bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, limb amputation, nerve damage and vision loss.

The researchers found that about 96 per cent of people worldwide who had diabetes in 2021 had Type 2, noting that the increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes worldwide is “primarily due to a rise in obesity.” They wrote that “the continued global spread of diabetes presents a massive public health challenge” for policymakers, healthcare professionals and patients.

Also, the number of people living with diabetes is expected to grow over 100 per cent in Africa with the prevalence of the disease in Nigeria projected to rise to eight million by 2045. This is according to a diabetes care report published by The Access to Medicine Foundation (ATMF), a Netherlands-based non-profit organisation. It added that the current estimate of 3.5 million living with the disease in Nigeria is probably understated due to poor diagnosis in many African countries.

The Guardian/S.S