It may be of some interest to estimate how many people in the UK have diabetes and of these how many achieve ‘good’ blood glucose control. To this end, an examination of published data provides the following.
For 2011 it is estimated that there are 2.9 million registered diabetics in the UK [Ref 1]. (It is estimated that there are around 850,000 people in the UK who have diabetes but have not been diagnosed [Ref 2]).
It is estimated that 15 % of registered diabetics are Type 1 and 85 %, Type 2 [Ref 3]. A little arithmetic results in the following numbers for registered diabetics.
Type 1 Type 2 Total
435000 2465000 2900000
It is estimated that 71.8 % of registered Type 1 diabetics achieve an HbA1c > 7.5 %.
It is estimated that 33.5 % of registered Type 2 diabetics achieve an HbA1c > 7.5 %.
[Ref 4]. [Ref 4] classifies an HbA1c > 7.5 % as a high risk of future complications. Again a little arithmetic results in the following numbers for registered diabetics with a high risk of future complications.
Type 1 Type 2 Total
312330 825775 1138105
According to [Ref 4] the results regarding HbA1c are very similar to those found in the 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 audits. This has resulted in over 1 million diabetics with a high risk of future complications. A successful NHS strategy for diabetes control?
References
- Quality and outcomes framework (QOF) 2011: England: http://bit.ly/qof2011e Northern Ireland: http://bit.ly/qof2011ni Scotland: http://bit.ly/qof2011s Wales: http://bit.ly/qof2011w
7 comments:
Thanks John, and thank you for highlighting the lamentable lack of achievement, of the NHS regarding diabetes control. How long before they realise, a diet based on carbohydrates, is not fit for purpose.
Eddie
Those are shocking stats, the restriction of test strips for Type 2 diabetics not going to improve the outcomes.
Scott
I very much enjoyed your post, and found it interesting. The terrible terrible fact is that how we treat diabetes is not working, the figures are quite frankly awful.
I do believe there are a few enlightened health care professionals who fully realise that if a diabetic controls the amount of carbohydrates he/she eats then much improved HbA1c numbers can be achieved.
The tragedy is not enough realise this. I do not know how we can re-dress this. This and other similar worldwide blogs do play a very important role in spreading the word to cut down on the amount of daily carbohydrates consumed, and I commend them for this.
Unfortunately it doesn't change the figures quoted in this excellent article, they are truly lamentable. Those within the NHS who work on guidlines for diabetics should be holding their head down in shame these figures simply are not good enough.
The answer to me is not complicated, all a diabetic has to do is cut down or greatly reduce the amount of carbohydrates consumed. If you are fortunate to have test strips available your meter will show you the difference this makes. If like me you have to wait for a blood test then I would ask you to be patient; you WILL see an inmprovement with your reading but you must be honest and disciplined with yourself.
For me my health is important, I want to be around a little longer please and without diabetic complications. You must ask yourself do you?
Peter
Not been around recently and I have a lot of good reading to catch up with. Excellent article and I agree with other people here lamentable results.
Doug
This highlights the alarming failure of the NHS to the diabetic community. The NHS is in complete turmoil at the moment not being helped by Lansley. Thank goodness for self help groups that do their best to bring to the fore how the average Joe can help themselves treat and improve their lives/life style, and it's not only the diabetic community. Power to the people and farewell Lansley the next man/woman in the job just has to do better than you.
Peter G
Couldn't believe the awful stats had to read it again. NHS is failing in many areas. When are things going to get the prpoer shake up it needs.
Restricting test strips will save money in the short-term but cost a hell of a lot more in the long-term. All the out of line diabetics will be needing amputations, kidney dialysis and myriad other hospital treatments in later years
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