Health burden of diabetes to the NHS
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing threats of the 21st century. In the UK alone there are over 3.7 million1 people diagnosed with diabetes and an estimated 549,000 who have the condition but don't know it (source: Diabetes UK 2015). Some sectors of the population are more prone to diabetes than others, with Asian and Afro-Caribbean groups being particularly affected.
Recent studies estimate that over 14.5% of all deaths in the 20-79 year old category are a result of diabetes.1 This means that prevention and effective management is vital.
The cost to people and families affected is considerable, with life expectancy reduced by up to ten years for type 2 diabetics.2 Diabetes UK estimates that in people with type 2 diabetes, the risk of death is 32% greater than expected and is mostly in younger people and females.1 Diabetes also significantly increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure and amputation.
The costs of this to the NHS are considerable. When the Diabetes National Service Framework Delivery Strategy was published in 2003, 5% of all NHS expenditure and 9% of hospital expenditure were accounted for by the condition. It is currently estimated that 10% of the NHS budget is spent on treating diabetes with one in seven hospital beds is being occupied by someone who has diabetes.1 In addition to direct health costs, the impact on social services expenditure, where diabetes complications increase costs four fold, is significant.
Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, accounting for between 80%-85% of the overall risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of obesity has trebled since the 1980s - and well over half of all adults are now either overweight or obese. It is likely that with a population that is growing older, taking less exercise and more ethnically diverse, costs from diabetes and other health conditions will be set to increase even more. However, by supporting effective management and medicines optimisation, pharmacists can make a significant impact on health costs and patient outcomes.