SDI DEVELOPMENT RESPONDS TO GROWING INCIDENCE OF DIABETES

Dysmetabolic Syndrome Poses Global Health Threat

At a recent presentation to the Diabetes Institutes Foundation board of directors, Dr. Leon-Paul Georges, Director of the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes, reported on a growing health crisis caused by a "malnutrition of affluence."

Dr. Leon-Paul Georges stated the increase in diabetes is due to the alarming rise in the number of people who are over-weight. Genetic factors combined with the environmental factors of poor nutrition, overeating, and lack of physical exercise, threaten the health of growing numbers of people - including children.

Not only are we experiencing an epidemic of Type 2 diabetes, but also of the pre-diabetic condition known as the dysmetabolic syndrome. The dysmetabolic syndrome is characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia (high blood insulin), low HDL (good cholesterol), high LDL (bad cholesterol), arterial hypertension and accelerated atherosclerosis (narrowing - hardening of the arteries).

"Of the 47 million people in the United States who have this syndrome, at least one-third will develop diabetes" said Georges. "More importantly, even if they don't develop high blood sugar, 70 - 80 percent of them will die prematurely from heart attacks and strokes."

Dr. Georges warned of the syndrome's dire implications for a young generation. He concluded, "Of the 600,000 cases of diabetes that were diagnosed last year, 300,000 were children, most of whom had developed Type 2. For the first time in this country, we are at risk of losing our young generation before their parents because they will die of the complications of the dysmetabolic syndrome rather than the complications of diabetes."

Dr. Georges set out an ambitious development course for the Institutes that would not only address diabetes but also take direct aim at combating its underlying cause.

"Curing diabetes will not stem the rampant growth of the dysmetabolic syndrome," he said. "It will not stop heart attacks and strokes."

"As our basic science research continues on its promising course toward a cure for diabetes and reversing complications, such as neuropathy, the programs in clinical research, clinical management and education will expand to address the health needs caused by the dysmetabolic syndrome," Dr. Georges continued. "Particular focus will be on children's and minority health."

The Strelitz Diabetes Institutes' programs in all areas - research, clinical care and education - will vitally affect the health of this community and will go on to have a global effect.