The State of Diabetes Complications Health Report
Diabetes is a disease that comes with complications. These complications can include heart disease, stroke, eye damage, chronic kidney disease, foot amputations – complications that can cost a person with type 2 diabetes about $10,000 per year. In a one of a kind report issued last year, we were able to take a look at how many complications occur in an individual with type 2 diabetes.
The report, released by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) in partnership with the members of a diabetes complications consortium: the Amputee coalition of America, Mended Hearts, the National Federation of the Blind, and the National Kidney Foundation showed that two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes analyzed in a study had elevated blood sugar levels which can lead to diabetes complications.
The report shows that an estimated one out of three people with diabetes has one other serious health problem, one out of ten people has two other serious health problems, one out of 15 has three other serious health problems and one out of 13 people has four or more other serious health problems.
Furthermore, the report identifies the following statistics:
- Congestive heart failure occurs in 7.9 % of people with diabetes as compared to 1.1 % of people without diabetes
- Heart attack occurs in 9.8% of people with diabetes vs.1.8% without diabetes
- Coronary heart disease occurs in 9.1% of people with diabetes vs. 2.1% of people without diabetes
- Stroke occurs in 6.6 % of people with diabetes as opposed to 1.8% without the disease
- Chronic kidney disease occurs in 27.8% of people with diabetes as opposed to 6.1% of people without diabetes
- Foot problems (amputations, infections) occur in 22.8% of people with diabetes as opposed to 10% without diabetes
- Eye damage occurs in 18.9% of people with diabetes
The economic and quality of life problems that accompany these complications contribute to substantial national and individual healthcare costs. Regarding annual healthcare costs for people with type 2 diabetes, heart attack is the most costly complication at $14,150 per person.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
