Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications in the Ukraine

Analysis of the prevalence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in various climate-geographic and administrative regions of the Ukraine was performed. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) complications in the west and north zones of the Ukraine was studied. The role of prophylactic measures in decreasing the number of complications was elucidated. The statistical reports from the specialized endocrinologic institutions of the Ukraine were analysed in the Laboratory of Epidemiology of Endocrine diseases of Institute and results from 3450 and 673 diabetic patients in the west and north zone of the Ukraine were used, respectively. In various administrative regions of the Ukraine the prevalence of IDDM significantly varied from 1740 to 3813 patients per 1 million population. Significant differences in the prevalence of NIDDM were found. Generally in the west zone of the Ukraine the prevalence of DM was less than that of average in the Ukraine. Angiopathy of the lower extremities, neuropathy and retinopathy were registered in 92, 24 and 21% of diabetes cases in the west zone, respectively. Prophylactic measures directed at a decrease in patient weight, the normalization of metabolism, arterial pressure and the elimination of pernicious habits promoted a decrease in the number of complications.