Cockram C S
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin NT, Hong Kong.
Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2000 Oct;50 Suppl 2:S3-7. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8227(00)00202-3.
This article aims to provide an overview of the current situation in the Western Pacific Region as a prelude to the other articles in this supplememt. It emphasises that, while there is much diversity within this huge Region, there is a rising prevalence of diabetes throughout the Region from which few, if any, countries and areas are spared. This is strongly associated with the lifestyle changes which follow industralisation, mechanisation and massive urbanisation; for which evolutionary processes have left us metabolically ill-equipped. The current epidemic of diabetes is principally due to rises in Type 2 diabetes, although Type 1 diabetes prevalence rates are also rising. The Region already contains more than 30 million people with diabetes and the number is estimated to double by 2025. Diabetes prevalence rates already exceed 8% in 12 countries and areas within the Region. In the more impoverished parts of the Region the majority have little access to care and in all parts of the Region a substantial proportion remain undiagnosed. The increasing emergence of Type 2 diabetes in young adults and children gives particular cause for concern. There is an urgent need for targetted action at all levels within the Region.
本文旨在概述西太平洋地区的现状，作为本增刊中其他文章的前奏。文章强调，尽管这个广袤的地区存在诸多差异，但整个地区糖尿病的患病率正在上升，几乎没有哪个国家和地区能够幸免。这与工业化、机械化和大规模城市化带来的生活方式变化密切相关，而进化过程使我们在代谢方面难以适应这些变化。目前的糖尿病流行主要归因于2型糖尿病患病率的上升，尽管1型糖尿病的患病率也在上升。该地区已有超过3000万人患有糖尿病，预计到2025年这一数字将翻番。该地区已有12个国家和地区的糖尿病患病率超过8%。在该地区较贫困的地区，大多数人难以获得医疗服务，而且在该地区所有地方，仍有相当一部分人未被诊断出来。2型糖尿病在年轻人和儿童中日益增多，尤其令人担忧。该地区迫切需要在各个层面采取有针对性的行动。
