Diabetes mellitus: The epidemic of the century
Date
2015-06-25
Authors
Kharroubi, Akram T
Darwish, Hisham M
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
Abstract
The epidemic nature of diabetes mellitus in different
regions is reviewed. The Middle East and North Africa region has the highest prevalence of diabetes in
adults (10.9%) whereas, the Western Pacific region
has the highest number of adults diagnosed with
diabetes and has countries with the highest prevalence
of diabetes (37.5%). Different classes of diabetes
mellitus, type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and other
types of diabetes mellitus are compared in terms of
diagnostic criteria, etiology and genetics. The molecular
genetics of diabetes received extensive attention in
recent years by many prominent investigators and
research groups in the biomedical field. A large array
of mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms
in genes that play a role in the various steps and
pathways involved in glucose metabolism and the
development, control and function of pancreatic cells
at various levels are reviewed. The major advances in
the molecular understanding of diabetes in relation to
the different types of diabetes in comparison to the
previous understanding in this field are briefly reviewed
here. Despite the accumulation of extensive data at
the molecular and cellular levels, the mechanism of
diabetes development and complications are still not
fully understood. Definitely, more extensive research
is needed in this field that will eventually reflect on
the ultimate objective to improve diagnoses, therapy
and minimize the chance of chronic complications
development.
Description
Keywords
Diabetes , Classification of diabetes , Type 1 diabetes , Type 2 diabetes , Gestational diabetes , Diagnosis , Etiology , Genetics