Norfolk diabetes expert warns NHS spending on disease will increase, without more prevention
Millions of people are yet to be diagnosed with the chronic disease, according to Diabetes UK
An expert in diabetes who works in Norfolk is warning the amount of money the NHS spends on treating this disease will continue to increase - unless more's done to detect and prevent it.
One in five adults in the UK are thought to be living with the condition or at greater risk of developing it, according to fresh work from a national charity.
"They are all things that are extremely expensive, but can also have a real effect on people's lives"
Professor Ketan Dhatariya works at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He told us about some of the factors that can increase the probability of somebody getting it:
"Being overweight or obese, having a family history, being somebody of a minority ethnical origin- are all factors that increase the risk of developing type two diabetes."
He told us about some of the severe complicationsif this isn't picked up early: "You can get eye, kidney or nerve disease.
"People lose their legs through this and go on dialysis machines, being they have to get a transplant and that's before we talk about the heart attacks and strokes.
"They are all things that are extremely expensive, but can also have a real effect on people's lives and their family's life."
The research in more detail:
Millions of people are yet to be diagnosed with the chronic disease, according to Diabetes UK
The charity warned that the country is facing a "hidden health crisis" and urged the Government to act in an open letter to the Prime Minister and Health Secretary.
It has called for those who are living with undiagnosed diabetes to be "urgently" identified, along with more investment for prevention programmes that promote lifestyle changes.
The new figures from Diabetes UK claim 4.6 million people in the UK have a diabetes diagnosis, the highest on record and an increase on the 4.4 million reported a year ago.
This includes about 8% with type 1 diabetes, which happens when the body does not make enough of the hormone insulin.
Some 90% have type 2 diabetes, which happens when the body does not use insulin properly, while 2% have different and rarer forms of the condition.
Meanwhile, Diabetes UK estimates a further 1.3 million people have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, with about 6.3 million people living with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, also known as prediabetes.
If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, although it can be reversed with lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and exercise.
The latest Diabetes UK figures mean more than 12 million people in the UK, or one in five adults, either have diabetes or prediabetes, the charity said.
Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, added: "These latest figures highlight the hidden health crisis we're facing in the UK, and underline why the Government must act now.
"There must be better care for the millions of people living with all types of diabetes, to support them to live well and fend off the risk of developing devastating complications."
In an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Diabetes UK called for the forthcoming 10 Year Health Plan to "prioritise urgently identifying those with pre-diabetes and those who have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes" through "improved NHS Health Checks".
It also called more investment in prevention schemes such as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which promotes lifestyle changes to those at risk of developing type 2.
The letter warns that diabetes "is a gateway to many other serious health issues", like strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.
Last year, research by Diabetes UK warned the condition could cost the NHS almost £18 billion by 2035 if action is not taken.
Research published by the charity last May also highlighted a 40% increased in the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the UK who were younger than 40.
Ms Marshall added: "With more people developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes at a younger age, it's also critical that much more is done to find the missing millions who either have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes but are completely unaware of it.
"The sooner we can find and get them the care they need, the more harm we can prevent."