A startling new study reveals that nearly half of people living with diabetes globally are completely unaware of their condition. This alarming statistic emerges as we look at the health crisis affecting one in nine individuals worldwide.

Analyzing data from over 204 countries from 2000 to 2023, researchers found that 44% of those aged 15 and older with diabetes remain undiagnosed. "It is a very alarming number," stated Lauryn Stafford, the lead author of the research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

While around 56% of individuals with diabetes are aware of their status, the rates vary significantly by country. In Canada, for example, about 85% of diabetes cases are diagnosed, but disparities exist based on several factors.

Stafford notes that issues such as limited access to healthcare, especially routine glucose testing, hinder timely diagnosis. Economic barriers and living in rural or low-income regions also contribute to these grim statistics. Surprisingly, the younger demographic seems particularly vulnerable, with only 20% of individuals under 50 being aware of their diabetic status.

As Dr. Hertzel Gerstein, a diabetes specialist, explaining, the prevalence of diabetes typically increases with age—about one in ten adults over 20 in Canada are affected, climbing to one in five among those over 65. Alarmingly, however, rising diagnosis rates are being seen even among those under 50.

A CMJA article from August 2024 highlights that the incidence of Type 2 diabetes is escalating sharply among younger Canadians, at rates of 50 to 150 cases per 100,000 for those aged 20 to 29. Other countries still advocate routine screenings starting at age 35, while Diabetes Canada suggests testing people aged 40 and over every three years due to increased risk.

Dr. Gerstein emphasizes the importance of health care providers using their clinical judgment when considering screenings for younger patients, looking for significant risk indicators or 'yellow flags' such as strong family histories or signs of excess abdominal fat.

Ethnicity also plays a critical role; certain individuals, particularly those of South Asian, North African descent, and Indigenous peoples in Canada, exhibit higher diabetes rates at younger ages.

The ramifications of undiagnosed diabetes can be severe. Dr. Tom Elliott, a medical director specializing in diabetes, warns that the first five years of the disease often lack symptoms, yet crucial damage can occur without detection, affecting various organs and leading to complications like kidney disease, heart problems, and even limb amputations.

Despite its silent nature, some symptoms—such as unusual thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision—could indicate diabetes. However, these can overlap with other health issues, making accurate blood testing essential for proper diagnosis.

Laura O’Driscoll from Diabetes Canada encourages individuals to take their health into their own hands and request HbA1c testing during routine blood work. This test reflects sugar levels over three months and can help identify those at risk of developing diabetes.

In a world where awareness is critical, being informed about diabetes could transform lives and prevent devastating health consequences.