Khaberni - The endocrinology and diabetes consultant, visiting consultant at Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dr. Thamer Mohammed Al-Essa, asserted that “the percentage of people affected by diabetes in Kuwait approximately ranges between 20 and 25 percent,” noting that “there is not yet sufficient data to determine the number of new cases annually.”
Al-Essa stated that this percentage includes very different types of the disease, as the severity of diabetes and methods of treatment vary from one person to another. Some patients need simple treatments, while others require intensive therapeutic plans due to the severity of their condition, according to the Kuwaiti newspaper.
He mentioned that the commonly circulated figure about the number of people with diabetes in Kuwait, estimated at about 800,000 affected individuals, approximately a quarter of the population, is undoubtedly a large number, but it is not surprising considering the nature of this disease as a chronic condition linked to lifestyle and hereditary genes prevalent in the Kuwaiti community.
He added that “an increase in these numbers is naturally expected, as chronic diseases generally relate to lifestyle, and therefore the rates of incidence are likely to increase unless lifestyle patterns change.”
Case Numbers
Al-Essa clarified that “talking about percentages or numbers calculated in the hundreds of thousands means that we are dealing with a broad spectrum of cases, a disease that varies in severity, and includes different patient groups,” adding “when we talk about a percentage like 20 percent, for instance, we are talking about a group where the progression of the disease can be prevented, whereas when talking about a large number like 800 thousand, these include patients who need only a single daily pill, and others who need multiple medications or insulin injections.”
Al-Essa emphasized that the diversity of causes of diabetes and the varying degrees of severity complicate the accurate estimation of the numbers of the most vulnerable groups, which necessitates enhancing community awareness and encouraging early screening and adopting a healthy lifestyle to reduce the rising rates of incidence.
Blood Sugar Levels
Al-Essa reported that diabetes is an increase in blood sugar levels above their normal levels, rendering the body unable to deal with them adequately, explaining that sugar is supposed to be a primary source of energy, as the cells distribute their requirements from it, but when it rises above normal levels, organs lose their ability to perform functions efficiently.
He gave examples of increased sugar levels in blood vessels, explaining that they become calcified when sugar remains in the blood at elevated levels, which leads to an increased likelihood of clots, and the kidneys are directly affected by these increases, as their filtering ability weakens gradually over time due to continuous stress.
Types of Diabetes
In terms of the main reasons for rising blood sugar, Al-Essa indicated that Type 1 diabetes occurs when there is a deficiency in producing sufficient amounts of insulin, which leads directly to an increase in blood sugar levels. However, Type 2 involves normal or near-normal insulin production, but the body develops resistance to it, preventing insulin from performing its role in reducing sugar levels.
He noted that this resistance is primarily associated with living habits, such as being overweight, consuming high-calorie diets, and an accumulation of visceral fat around the abdomen, which leads to the inability of insulin to function and increased measurements.
Gradual Deterioration
Al-Essa pointed out that a patient with Type 2 diabetes, especially those who are obese and have an accumulation of fats, might face a gradual decline in their ability to produce insulin, adding that “initially, the patient may only need simple tablets to regulate sugar, but with poor disease control over the years, a significant portion of their production capacity may be lost, making it necessary for the patient to use insulin to achieve good sugar control.”
Type 2
Al-Essa confirmed that Type 2 is the most common in Kuwait, due to its close association with daily lifestyle and hereditary genetic factors, noting that the nature of the diet, which relies on high-calorie, excess fats, and carbohydrates, contributes to increased insulin resistance and the spread of the disease.
He continued, “Although Type 1 diabetes also exists, it is significantly less prevalent, and the genetic factors associated with it appear to a lesser extent compared to Type 2.”
Diet
Al-Essa added that the prevailing dietary regimen in Kuwait heavily depends on carbohydrates, such as rice, bread, and flour-based pastries, which are essential components of daily meals. However, he clarified that the problem does not lie in carbohydrates alone but in the way they are consumed and their accompanying ingredients.
He stated that “carbohydrates are often mixed with a large amount of fats and hydrogenated oils used in cooking and frying, making the meal very high in calories,” emphasizing that this mix of high-carb and fat leads to quicker weight gain.
Children's Diabetes
Regarding children's diabetes, Al-Essa explained that the disease in young children is often linked to genetic factors or Type 1, an autoimmune condition that leads to reduced insulin production, asserting that daily life or dietary patterns are not a direct cause of this type.
He expressed his concern about the increasing incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children, pointing out that this type "is primarily due to poor nutrition, lack of movement, absence of exercise, and increased weight," adding, "Here lies the issue, as the child gets ill with a disease that could have been prevented, but due to daily habits acquired from their dietary environment and lifestyle, they find themselves suffering from a chronic disease at an early age."
He continued that being affected at a young age makes health complications more present and severe over the years, affirming that the issue of diabetes is not just a matter for an individual or family alone, whether it concerns adults or children but a comprehensive community issue that requires intervention from various parties, such as the state, which plays a role, the private sector with its vision, and civic society, which must actively participate in reducing obesity and diabetes by promoting healthy behaviors.
He called for organizing daily lifestyle and adopting a balanced healthy style, noting that diabetes does not come alone but is often linked with other health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other chronic diseases.
Health Complications
Al-Essa said that what greatly bothers him in diabetes clinics is seeing a large group of patients, especially young ones, using numerous treatments due to obesity and related health complications, noting that some of these medications cause side effects such as hypoglycemia, fatigue, and exhaustion, which reflect on a child's performance in daily life.
He added that there are people who need insulin for their entire lives, and they have to take it at any social event or when they are with their families, which is annoying and difficult for the patient, especially if they do not take heed and change their behaviors.
He emphasized that the rapid advancement in medical technology and artificial intelligence contributes to easing the lives of patients, especially children with diabetes, giving them a greater ability to carry on their daily activities without restrictions.
Treatment Cost
Al-Essa added that the drug treatment costs for a patient with Type 2 diabetes in the early stages of diagnosis usually require two types of diabetes medications, ranging in cost between 60 and 100 Dinars monthly. If the patient is 40 years old or older, they often need a cholesterol-lowering medication, costing about 20 Dinars monthly, bringing the total expenses to around 100 Dinars monthly.
He mentioned that these costs, when calculated over many years, pose a significant financial burden on the individual and the health system of the state.
