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 | | Thursday, 18 April, 2002, 23:05 GMT 00:05 UK Premature death threat for diabetics  Many diabetics go undiagnosed People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to die prematurely as those without the condition, research shows. A study carried out for Diabetes UK tracked 700 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. They found 123 died within five years, compared to 73 deaths among those without the disease. The research showed the likelihood of premature death was increased across all age groups, but was most significant among people aged 40 to 59.
The condition often goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage. However, Diabetes UK believes GPs could carry out a simple blood test on high risk groups, which would not only save lives, but reduce the burden on the NHS. Diabetes UK chief executive Paul Streets said: "This research shows that diabetes is quite simply too deadly to ignore. "The tragic thing is that so many of these deaths could have been avoided. "Diabetes can lead to life-threatening complications like heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Government response "If people were diagnosed sooner, received proper treatment and were taught how to manage their condition better, many of these complications could have been prevented and lives saved." Those who fall into two or more of the following categories are deemed to be high risk: Diabetes UK estimates the government spends �5.2bn treating diabetes annually, much of this is used to treat the long term complications, which in many cases are preventable. Type 2 diabetes affects about 10% of adults over the age of 60. It is on the increase in the UK and people with the condition are unable to control levels of sugar in their blood. About 1.4 million people in the UK have diabetes, but it is estimated another 1 million people have the condition, who have not been diagnosed. Complications People have type 2 diabetes for nine to 12 years on average before being detected, research shows. By this time, up to half of them are already showing signs of complications such as heart disease, eye damage, kidney disease and nerve damage. The government has put together a National Service Framework which sets out planned standards of diabetes care in England. However, the way it will be implemented is not due to be announced until the summer. Mr Streets said: "It is time for government to prioritise diabetes in a meaningful way. "The National Service Framework is a start, but it will achieve nothing unless government makes resources available to turn these standards into a reality for people with diabetes." | | See also:  Top Health stories now:  Links to more Health stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||
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