Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common diseases, the frequency of which is steadily increasing every year. In industrialized countries, the prevalence of DM is 4-5%. Despite the large number of existing forms of diabetes associated with various syndromes and diseases, the main ones are two that are characterized as spontaneous: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). Statistical data on the prevalence of the disease are based on the registration of a medical diagnosis of diabetes and in general reflect mainly the prevalence of spontaneous forms of IDDM and NIDDM. In 1991, 1 826 758 patients with DM were registered in the Russian Federation, of which 295 333 (16.2%) suffered from IDDM. Compared with 1990, the number of patients with diabetes increased by 5.78%. However, the figures do not reflect the actual prevalence of diabetes. The conducted epidemiological studies on the frequency of diabetes show that the true number of patients with diabetes is 3-4 times higher compared to the registered one. These include people with a mild form of NIDDM who do not need medical treatment, as well as people with impaired glucose tolerance. In these groups, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism occur in a subclinical form, and the recorded prevalence of diabetes is largely determined by the quality of the medical examination. A more accurate picture of the prevalence of various types of diabetes can be obtained only with the State Register for diabetes, its development is necessary in the near future.