One in Three Koreans Does Not Know They Have Diabetes

KCDC Reveals Status on 'World Diabetes Day'
6 Million Diabetes Patients... Half of Adults Need Management

The number of diabetes patients in South Korea has exceeded 6 million, and more than half of all adults require diabetes management. However, a survey revealed that one in three people does not even know that they have diabetes.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) disclosed the current status of the diabetes disease burden and management on November 14, marking "World Diabetes Day."

World Diabetes Day was established in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). To raise awareness about the increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide, countries around the globe conduct diabetes prevention and education campaigns around this day every year.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas is insufficient or its function is impaired, resulting in poor blood sugar control and glucose being excreted in the urine. Without proper management, it can lead to various complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction, significantly reducing quality of life and imposing enormous socioeconomic costs.

The number of diabetes patients continues to rise. According to the KDCA, as of 2021, the prevalence of diabetes in South Korea was 13.6%, with approximately 6 million diabetes patients currently in the country. Considering the prevalence of prediabetes (also known as impaired fasting glucose) at 41.3%, more than half of all adults?54.9%?are in a state requiring diabetes management.

A bigger problem is that the awareness rate of diabetes is only 66.6%, meaning one in three patients is unaware that they have diabetes. Additionally, the treatment rate is only 62.4%, so more than 30% of patients receive no diabetes treatment at all.

Diabetes Prevention and Management Information [Image Source=Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Yonhap News]

Since diabetes may not show clear symptoms in its early stages and can cause various complications, it is important to regularly check blood sugar levels and manage them accordingly.

Adults aged 40 and over, or those aged 20 and above with risk factors such as family history, should undergo diabetes screening annually. The general population can check their blood sugar every two years through the national health screening program.

The KDCA recommends improving daily lifestyle habits to prevent diabetes and manage blood sugar, as diabetes is considered a lifestyle-related disease. This includes weight management, exercise, smoking cessation, moderation in alcohol consumption, and a balanced diet. Exercise is recommended at least three times a week for 30 minutes at a moderate intensity that causes slight breathlessness. For diet, it is helpful to create varied meals using ingredients rich in dietary fiber and unsaturated fatty acids instead of meat and fatty foods.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.