More people at risk from kidney disease as Type 2 diabetes increases by Sarah Williams
New figures released from the NHS and analysed by Diabetes UK suggest that one person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every three minutes in England and Wales. In 2017, over 200,000 people were told they have the condition.
There are 4.7 million people in the UK living with all types of diabetes – predicted to rise to 5.5 million by 2030 – and almost four in five of those people are likely to develop some stage of kidney disease during their lifetime.
Diabetes remains the most common cause of kidney failure in the UK.
Highlighting the problem
According to Diabetes UK, the reason diabetes is rising so fast is the rapid increase in obesity.
Kidney Research UK is concerned by the growing crisis and its potential to lead to more people developing irreversible kidney disease, if this is diagnosed late. Kidney disease spotted later in people with diabetes can also result in poorer prognoses.
Around three in every five cases of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented or delayed by healthy eating, being more active and losing weight, where appropriate.
Anyone who has already developed diabetes should ensure their doctors are monitoring their kidney health.
Tackling the kidney disease and diabetes problem
In 2018, we partnered with Diabetes UK to begin funding more research into the relationship between kidney disease and diabetes, and to develop new treatments.
Working together we are aiming to protect people with diabetes from kidney disease and help those with the condition to live longer, healthier lives.
Elaine Davies, Director of Research at Kidney Research UK, said: “We need to find ways to reduce the risk of kidney disease in people with diabetes and stop its progression. Stopping people developing diabetes in the first place is key. We support Diabetes UK’s call for the Government to tackle the obesity problem and support people making the healthy choices."
You can find out more about the impact of diabetes on patients with kidney disease.
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