The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in states of the European Union and United Kingdom at the national and subnational levels: A systematic review

Abstract

Summary Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a highly prevalent disease worldwide, with an equally increased expenditure associated with it. We aimed to longitudinally evaluate the epidemiologic and economic burden of T2D in the current member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom (EU‐28). The present systematic review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020219894), and it followed the PRISMA guidelines. Eligibility criteria comprised original observational studies in English reporting economic and epidemiological data for T2D in member states of the EU‐28. Methodological assessment was performed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools. The search retrieved 2253 titles and abstracts. After study selection, 41 studies were included in the epidemiologic analysis and 25 in the economic analysis. Economic and epidemiologic studies covered only 15 member states with reported data between 1970 and 2017, resulting in an incomplete picture. For children in particular, limited information is available. The prevalence, incidence, mortality, and expenditure of the T2D population have increased across the decades in member states. Therefore, policies should aim to prevent or reduce the burden of T2D in the EU and consequently mitigate the expenditure on T2D.

Insulitis in human type 1 diabetes: lessons from an enigmatic lesion

“…Type 2 diabetes presents the largest social and economic burden, since it affects hundreds of millions of individuals across the world and is increasing at an alarming rate, globally. 6 , 7 Epidemiological and demographic analyses mean that type 2 diabetes is understood primarily as a condition associated with aging and changing lifestyle choices, although, sadly, it is increasingly diagnosed in adolescents and children. 8 , 9 There may also be phenotypic differences among subjects with type 2 diabetes since the symptoms can be manifested in those who are lean as well as among those who are overweight.…”

Differential risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with adult type-2 diabetes mellitus in Ghana using clustering analysis: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

“…However, aggregated data from observational studies suggest even higher estimates at 6.5 (4.7-8.3)% [5]. Thus, the impact of diabetes is felt globally, affecting social, economic, and personal livelihoods [6,7]. According to the Global Health estimate [8], T2DM is a major cause of disability and death.…”

Lifestyle and metabolic risk factors, and diabetes mellitus prevalence in European countries from three waves of the European Health Interview Survey

“…In 2021, approximately 1.1 million death was attributed to DM or its complications among people aged 20–79 years 2 . The economic burden of DM is also substantial, with profound implications for healthcare systems and society 3 . According to a report by the International Diabetes Federation, the estimated total cost of DM in Europe reached USD 189 billion in 2021 2 .…”

“…Despite the recognition of high burden of DM and its associated lifestyle risk factors across the member states, limited data challenge effective policy development at EU level. Available studies have highlighted regional and national variations in both the prevalence and trends of DM 3 , 11 , 12 and that the weight of individual risk factors differs between EU countries.…”