Journal of the Korean Medical Association (대한의사협회지)
- Volume 51 Issue 9
- /
- Pages.791-798
- /
- 2008
- /
- 1975-8456(pISSN)
- /
- 2093-5951(eISSN)
The Present State of Diabetes Mellitus in Korea
우리나라 당뇨병의 현황
- Kim, Sin-Gon (Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
- Choi, Dong-Seop (Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine)
- Published : 2008.09.10
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus has approached to us as a social epidemic in Korea. The prevalence of diabetes in Korea has increased five to six-fold from 1.5% to 7~9% during the past 30 years. This increasing rate is remarkably high in comparison with those of developed countries such as the USA- doubled during the past 30 years. In addition, diabetic complication is very common in Korean diabetic patients. For example, a total of 70.5% among new patients who were started with renal replacement therapy had diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, diabetes-related mortality has rapidly increased over the last 20 years. The age-sex adjusted mortality rate of diabetic patients was about three-fold higher than those of general population. As a result, medical cost of diabetes mellitus covered by the national health insurance corporation was 3.2 trillion won and accounted for 19.2% of all medical costs. On the other hand, the rate of awareness and treatment in diabetic patients has improved from 1998 to 2005. However, the proportion of adequate glycemic control (HbA1c < 7%) among the treated diabetic patients was only 40%. The comprehensive and integrated health intervention including public approach is urgently needed to control the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its related undesirable outcomes.