Wales On The Brink Of Diabetes Epidemic

Each year thousands of people in Wales are unaware that they have developed Type 2 diabetes, a new study has revealed.
Research carried out by Swansea University School of Medicine has found as many as seven thousand people in the country could be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes each year.
The study, which analysed computer records of GP practices in Swansea, found that in 2006 there were 597 new cases of Type 2 diabetes in Swansea alone – an incidence rate of 2.5 per 1,000 patients – leading to claims that around 7,000 new diagnoses of Type 2 diabetes are recorded each year across the country.
Dr Sinead Brophy, Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology at the School of Medicine, and Lead Researcher, commented: “Our findings indicate that Wales is facing an epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes – which may be related to the general trend in rising obesity and lower activity levels.”
“Early detection can greatly reduce the future complications associated with diabetes. So if you have a family history of diabetes or fear you might be at risk, please go to your GP or health professional to ask about diabetes testing.”
“Type 2 diabetes is a condition that’s on the increase in Wales and worldwide,” said Dai Williams, Diabetes UK Cymru National Director.
“Diabetes UK supports targeted interventions with people and communities known to be at high risk of diabetes, and also a comprehensive screening programme across Wales to ensure that no one goes undiagnosed,” Williams added.
The research team’s findings will be presented at this week’s Diabetes UK Annual Conference in Glasgow.
The research on Type 2 Diabetes at the School of Medicine Institute of Life Science is part of a larger study on the incidence of the different types of diabetes across Wales.