Endocrinologie et syndrome métabolique
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Abstrait

Diabetes in Nigeria: Impact, Challenges, Future Directions

Ogonna Oguejiofor, Charles Odenigbo and Chikezie Onwukwe

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. Globally, incidence of the disease is growing rapidly, rising to pandemic levels especially in the developing world, impacting it negatively through the gross morbidity and mortality arising from its acute and chronic complications.

Objective: To review the literature on the impact of DM in Nigeria, challenges arising from the disease to individuals, families, societies and communities and the way forward in managing this evolving national and global threat.

Methods: Data was sourced through internet using Google chrome search engine and data bases of PubMed, Medline, e-Medicine, Medscape etc. Prevalence studies, hospital statistics, registry reports, WHO Reports, IDF declarations and UN resolutions on diabetes also were used.

Results: Prevalence of DM is rising to alarming levels. In Africa, Nigeria inclusive, prevalence has risen from < 1% in the 1950s to 1980s to current values of ≥ 4.5%. Highest global prevalence is in the Middle East/North Africa region (11%), while it is 10.7% and 6.7% in North America and Europe respectively. Prevalence of undiagnosed DM is even higher-80% in Africa compared to 35% in Europe and North America. Populations of African origin have a much higher incidence of microvascular complications compared to macrovascular complications. DM is one of the commonest reasons for admission in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria with hyperglycemic emergencies and diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) being the commonest indications for admission. DFU is notoriously responsible for prolonged hospital stay, morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion: Most Governments of African countries including Nigeria do not recognize the catastrophic potential of the diabetes epidemic and need to reverse the current trend where DM occupies very low priority in their National Health care agenda, before time runs out.