Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus and prognosis of its prevalence in the Russian Federation

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in this country as well as throughout the globe has reached epidemic proportions. The register of DM patientsand relevant epidemiological studies are important sources of objective information about epidemiological situation with respect to DM morbidity thatmay be used to predict the prevalence of DM and its complications. The results of a 5-year project and subsequent prospective studies suggest a risein the number of diabetic patients in Russia (3,163,300 as of 01.01.2010). It is expected to increase up to 5.81 mln within the next two decades althoughsome of the patients will never be registered. The actual prevalence of DM complications also exceeds the registered one; they are not diagnosedin 40-55% of the patients. Prospective studies revealed an increased number of DM1 patients with the HbA_1c level <7.0% among children from 9.7to 15.42% (p?0.005), adolescents from 7.4 to 12.41% (p?0.002), adults from 11.4 to 16.46% (p?0.01); it decreased in adults with DM2 from8.74 to 8.04% (p?0.05). As a result, the overall prevalence of main diabetic complications significantly decreased.