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Foo JP, Fock KM
Correspondence: Dr Foo Joo Pin, joo_pin_foo@cgh.com.sg
SUMMARY
The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its consequent burden on healthcare resources is a major concern in many countries around the world. Worldwide, the number of people with diabetes mellitus has increased from 153 million in 1980 to 347 million in 2008,(1) and is projected to increase to 552 million by 2030.(2) Singapore will not be spared from this ‘diabetes tsunami’. In Singapore, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adults aged 18–69 years has increased from 8.2% of the population in the year 2004 to 11.3% in 2010.(3) The rapidly aging population, coupled with the increasing prevalence of obesity, looks set to aggravate the numbers. The burden of diabetes mellitus lies not only in the treatment of hyperglycaemia, but more so in the associated micro- and macrovascular complications that may lead to visual impairment, amputations and renal failure.
Singapore Med J 2013; 54(7): 364-367; http://dx.doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2013134
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