Diabetes has risen rapidly in Hessen

Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Hessen: Number of diabetics has increased by 49 percent

15.02.2012

According to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) Hessen, the number of cases of diabetes mellitus in the federal state has risen by 49 percent in recent years. Experts have been warning for some time about the increase in cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes, which among other things are attributable to a lack of exercise.

More and more people suffer from disorders due to movement disorders
The representative „Insured sample AOK Hessen / KV Hessen“ is being carried out continuously and has now delivered the frightening result: From 2000 to 2009, the number of diabetes cases almost doubled.

In the age group „60 plus“ the highest increases in diabetic numbers were recorded. This applies according to KV Hessen for both men and women. However, prevalence has reached particularly dramatic proportions in women over the age of 60 years. It is now 12 percent. „Just a few years ago, it was unthinkable that the 10 percent mark would be broken. Now we are clearly above it, "report the two chairmen of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Hessen, Frank-Rüdiger Zimmeck and Dr. Gerd W. Zimmermann.

What cause could be behind the strong increase in diabetes disorders? The experts are not in agreement. Adiposity, a Western lifestyle, lack of exercise and the aging of the population are suspected. „Wherever the rise comes from, it is fact and it causes in the medical practices an increased effort, which is currently not sufficiently remunerated. The rise in the number of diabetics requiring treatment in Hesse of 49 percent is in stark contrast to the statutory fee increase of 1.25 percent for the year 2012.“ The data should now be included in the upcoming fee negotiations.

Diabetes is increasing rapidly in children
Already at the end of last year, researchers found that the number of children suffering from diabetes has grown rapidly in the last 15 years. Michael Hummel, Diabetologist and Deputy Chairman of the Research Unit Diabetes e.V. at the Helmholtz Center in Munich attributes the increase in type 2 diabetes cases primarily to obesity, which is affecting more and more children. Wrong diet and lack of exercise is the trigger. But until a person develops an increased insulin resistance, he is usually no longer in childhood. In children, type 1 diabetes is in the foreground.

The cause of type 1 diabetes is not fully understood yet. Experts believe that different genes are involved. Furthermore, environmental factors such as infant nutrition and infections are also assumed to be the cause. (Ag)

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