What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by an abnormally high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood, called hyperglycemia. This condition results either from a defect in the production of insulin (the hormone that regulates blood sugar, produced by the pancreas) or from the body's cells being unable to use this insulin effectively.
There are mainly three forms distinguished:
- Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): This is an autoimmune disease where the body destroys the insulin-producing cells. It often appears in childhood or adolescence and requires lifelong insulin injections.
- Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): This is the most common form (more than 90% of cases). It combines cellular insulin resistance (insulin works poorly) with a gradual exhaustion of the pancreas. Strongly linked to overweight, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic factors, it is often treated with oral medications before eventually requiring insulin.
- Gestational Diabetes (GD): This manifests as hyperglycemia occurring or first diagnosed during pregnancy. Although it generally disappears after childbirth, it increases the risks of complications for both mother and baby and is a significant risk factor for developing T2D later in life.
Poorly controlled diabetes, regardless of the type, eventually leads to serious and irreversible complications in the small and large blood vessels (micro- and macroangiopathies), affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves in particular.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) – A Symbol of Global Mobilization
Every year, November 14th is an essential date for global health: World Diabetes Day (WDD). This commemoration is not accidental; it marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, whose work with Charles Best led to the discovery of insulin in 1921.
Initiated in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and officially recognized by the United Nations since 2006, WDD is the largest diabetes awareness campaign worldwide.
The Scale of an Epidemic
Diabetes is an epidemic that is growing in scale. The IDF warns that over 589 million adults (aged 20 to 79) were living with diabetes worldwide in 2024, and this number is expected to reach 783 million by 2045. It is crucial to note that nearly half of the cases remain undiagnosed, and three out of four people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries.
The Central Theme: Diabetes and Mental Well-being
The fundamental objective of WDD is to raise awareness about the different forms of diabetes, their management, and strategies to prevent serious complications (such as blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart attack, or stroke).
For the period 2024–2026, the main theme of WDD is centered on "Diabetes and Wellbeing" (or "Diabetes and Mental Health"). The daily management of the condition represents a heavy psychological burden. An IDF survey revealed that 77% of people living with diabetes experienced anxiety, depression, or another mental health disorder related to their condition. This distress is often fueled by the fear of complications, the constraints of daily management, and social stigma. The current mobilization calls for integrating psychological support and mental health into the core of the care pathway, and for raising awareness in professional environments.
There are still 3 chapters left to read on the theme of Diabetes in the Heart of West Africa: A Health and Perioperative Challenge:
- Diabetes in West Africa and Togo – A Silent Epidemic?
- The Perioperative Challenge in a Context of Limited Resources
- Diabetes in the Operating Room and in Intensive Care – The Perioperative Challenge
To read more, click here (access reserved for members).
