Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by a deficiency of insulin, which is a hormone
secreted by the pancreas.
About 16 million Americans have diabetes, but only about 10 million have been diagnosed.
Approximately 798,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed annually in the United States.
The number of persons diagnosed with diabetes has increased sixfold, from 1.6 million in
1958 to 10 million in 1997. Diabetes is the nation's seventh leading killer and
contributed to about 187,800 deaths in 1995.
Diabetes is classified into two main types: type 1 and type 2 . Type 1 diabetes
(insulin-dependent), affects 5%-10% of those with diabetes and most often occurs during
childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin- dependent) is the more common
type, affecting 90%-95% of those with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after age
40.
Diabetes and its complications occur among Americans of all ages and racial/ethnic
groups, but the elderly and certain racial/ethnic groups are more commonly affected by the
disease. About 18% of Americans 65 years of age and older have diabetes.
Diabetes patients risk debilitating complications such as blindness, kidney disease, and
lower-extremity amputations.
Cardiovascular disease is 2-4 times more common among persons with diabetes; the risk of
stroke is 2-4 times higher; 60%-65% have high blood pressure; and 60%-70% have mild to
severe diabetic nerve damage.
