Epidemiology of Diabetes mellitus in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is an important public health problem in terms of the number of persons affected and the considerable associated morbidity and early mortality. Two major forms of the disease are recognized insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM], which comprises about 10% of cases, and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] which accounts for about 90% of the cases. The prevalence of IDDM cases in Egypt ranges between 33-2 per 1000 according to the various studies. Two studies of IDDM in Egypt emphasized the interaction between genetic and environmental factors for development of the disease. As regards NIDDM, the prevalence in Egypt was estimated to be 2.5%. Genetic factors play an extremely important role in the development of NIDDM. Actually, some Egyptian studies of diabetes prevalence are available and may give a rough idea about the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in different parts of Egypt. From the epidemiological point of view, these studies have many limitations: