Diabetes: The Ticking Time Bomb
In many ways diabetes is a preventable condition yet over 200million people suffer from diabetes world-wide1. Diabetes alone is a chronic and progressive disease. It is widely acknowledged that it is a growing threat in the UK. 2.3 million people now have diabetes with half a million more people unknowingly suffering from the condition.2
Optima-life tackles the Diabetes Challenge
Whilst the ageing population is certainly a factor in the increased incidence of Type 2 Diabetes, there are other risk factors that we can influence e.g. physical activity, diet, sleep, recovery and general lifestyle. Indeed obesity is estimated to account for just under 50% of Type 2 Diabetes in the UK.3
Optima-life using Firstbeat HEALTH provides a unique proactive tool to highlight risk factors that are relevant, not just to this disease, but also to the individual. The software analyses an individual’s exercise and recovery and, with the entry of other risk factors, a personalised report will clearly indicate areas that need attention. Some patients will need to address physical activity, others diet, others general lifestyle and recovery.
An appropriate diet, increased physical activity and modest weight loss could dramatically reduce the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes. Research has shown that simple changes to lifestyle are a more effective approach to preventing Type 2 Diabetes than taking medication in isolation.4
Benefits to the practitioner
- Objective data relating to a full range of risk factors
- Demonstrates areas of specific risk
- Highlights specific management strategies
- Identifies specific changes over time
- Highlights the effectiveness of strategies
- Allows the practitioner to set specific parameters
Benefits to the patient
- Demonstrates many of the risk factors that you will need to address
- Highlights specific factors that require urgent attention
- Provides practical information in a practical format
- Demonstrates how well you are managing your diabetes
- Acts as a phenomenal motivational tool
- Improves compliance, increasing the chances of goals being attained and long term change being achieved
- Promotes positive changes in behaviour
Life expectancy shortened
Type 1 Diabetes |
Accounts for between 5-15% of all people with diabetes, with the prevalence among children rising at a rate of 3-4% per year1 Life expectancy is reduced by 15 years2 |
Type 2 Diabetes |
Accounts for between 85-95% of all people with diabetes3 Life expectancy is reduced by 10 years4 |
Blindness |
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people of working age in the UK5 |
1 every 5 minutes |
One person is diagnosed with Diabetes every 5 minutes in the UK6 |
Sources:
1 www.diabetes.org.uk↑
2 Dept of Health www.dh.gov.uk↑
3 www.diabetes.org.uk↑
4 Dept of Health www.dh.gov.uk↑
5 www.diabetes.org.uk. Diabetes in the UK 2004↑
6 www.diabetes.org.uk↑
The financial cost of Diabetes
1,750,000 |
1.75 million bed days are used in the treatment and management of diabetes1 |
3,500,000,000 |
Around 5% of total NHS spend and up to 10% of hospital in-patient spend is used for the care of people with diabetes. This equates to a £3.5 billion spend, which equates to £9.6million a day, £400,000 per hour2 |
2nd biggest |
Drugs used in the management of diabetes are the second biggest cost on the national drugs bill3 |
Sources:
1 www.diabetes.nhs.uk Factsheet no10 National Diabetes Support Team↑
2 www.diabetes.org.uk Diabetes in the UK↑
3 www.diabetes.nhs.uk↑
1 www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org↑
2 www.diabetes.org.uk Diabetes prevalence 2007↑
3 www.dh.gov.uk Dept of Health↑
4 Knowler et al, New England Journal of Medicine 2002; 346 393-403↑
