New research has suggested that three in ten adults with diabetes in the United States remain undiagnosed, revealing an urgent need for improvements in diabetes care.
Undiagnosed diabetes
The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, used the cascade of care method to show how many patients live with a condition compared to those being treated for it.
Data was analysed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) by researchers to create a cascade of care for diabetes.
Over a five-year period, an estimated 28.4 million adults, or 11.8 per cent of the adult population aged 18 or older, were found to have diabetes.
7.9 million people are reportedly unaware of their diabetes, despite 85 per cent being linked to a care provider and 67 per cent visiting care providers at least twice the previous year.
Diagnosis awareness
To improve health outcomes, the authors suggested increasing awareness of diabetes diagnosis among patients is essential.
The cascade of care concept, which is also used to implement gaps in care for HIV care, could be used similarly to assess gaps in healthcare where diabetes is not being diagnosed.
Among the common undiagnosed symptoms of diabetes include fatigue and dizziness. If you believe you may be suffering from these symptoms, you should endeavour to see your healthcare professional as a matter of urgency.

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