Specific Conditions
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Facts about diabetes
Occurrence
- In the United States, 17 million people have diabetes: 11.1 million people are diagnosed and 5.9 million people don't know they have it
- 7.8 million men and 9.1 million women have diabetes
- Each year, 1 million people aged 20 years or older are newly diagnosed
- In 1999, about 19% of all deaths in the United States occurred among people with diabetes aged 25 years and older
Heart disease and stroke
- Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than people without diabetes
- The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes
- Controlling cholesterol and blood lipids can reduce cardiovascular problems by 20-50%
Blindness and eye disease
- Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults age 20 to 74
- Diabetic retinopathy causes from 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness every year
- Detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease with laser therapy can reduce the development of severe vision loss by about 50-60%
Kidney and renal disease
- The detection and treatment of early diabetic kidney disease can reduce the development of kidney failure by 30-70%
- Diabetes is the leading cause of treated end-stage renal disease, which accounts for 43% of new cases
Nervous system damage
- About 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage
- Severe forms of diabetic nerve disease are a major contributing cause of lower-extremity amputations
- More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in the United States occur among people with diabetes
- Comprehensive foot care programs can reduce amputation rates by 45-85%
Gum disease
- Periodontal or gum diseases are more common among people with diabetes than among people without it
Pregnancy risks
- Poorly-controlled diabetes before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause major birth defects in 5% to 10% of pregnancies and spontaneous abortions in 15% to 20% of pregnancies
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If you would like to consult an occupational therapist, practitioners are available through most hospitals, medical centers, and clinics.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are trained in helping both adults and children with a broad range of physical, developmental, and behavioral conditions in addition to diabetes. Occupational therapy practitioners also advise people in home modification and in preventing falls, and help clients in wellness techniques that may prevent injury and disease
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