title: Diabetes in the Africa Region: an update.
abstract: The Africa Region (AFR), where diabetes was once rare, has witnessed a surge in the condition. Estimates for type 1 diabetes suggest that about 39,000 people suffer from the disease in 2013 with 6.4 new cases occurring per year per 100,000 people in children <14 years old. Type 2 diabetes prevalence among 20-79-year-olds is 4.9% with the majority of people with diabetes <60 years old; the highest proportion (43.2%) is in those aged 40-59 years. Figures are projected to increase with the numbers rising from 19.8 million in 2013 to 41.5 million in 2035, representing a 110% absolute increase. There is an apparent increase in diabetes prevalence with economic development in AFR with rates of 4.4% in low-income, 5.0% in lower-middle income and 7.0% in upper-middle income countries. In addition to development and increases in life-expectancy, the likely progression of people at high risk for the development of type 2 diabetes will drive the expected rise of the disease. This includes those with impaired glucose tolerance, the prevalence of which is 7.3% among 20-79-year-olds in 2013. Mortality attributable to diabetes in 2013 in AFR is expected to be over half a million with three-quarter of these deaths occurring in those <60 years old. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes remains unacceptably high at 50.7% and is much higher in low income (75.1%) compared to lower- and upper-middle income AFR countries (46.0%). This highlights the inadequate response of local health systems which need to provide accessible, affordable and optimal care for diabetes.
authors: Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa.
authors: Nasheeta
authors: N
authors: Peer
authors: Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: Andre-Pascal
authors: AP
authors: Kengne
authors: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu - Natal, South Africa.
authors: Ayesha A
authors: AA
authors: Motala
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. Electronic address: jcmbanya@hopitcam.net.
authors: Jean Claude
authors: JC
authors: Mbanya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007182:Income; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Africa; Complications; Diabetes mellitus; Incidence; Prevalence; Risk factors