70,000 extra diabetics diagnosed

The number of diabetics diagnosed with the disease has soared by 70,000 in the last year in the UK alone, according to a recent report. The figures were presented as part of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care .
According to their report, prevalence of diabetes in the UK has climbed to 3.7 per cent, with a record number of 1,986,200 people diagnosed with the condition. Leading UK diabetes charity Diabetes UK were clear that the new figures painted an alarming picture.
The Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, Douglas Smallwood, reportedly commented: “These figures are truly alarming as diabetes is a serious condition, which can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and nerve damage that can cause amputation . We need to do all we can to raise awareness of the condition and to encourage people to follow a healthy diet, active lifestyle to help them reduce their risk of developing diabetes.”
Smallwood reportedly concluded: “As the number of people being diagnosed is rising, we also need to remember that up to 750,000 people have diabetes in the UK and are not aware of it. This means that thousands of people are going about their daily lives unaware they have a condition that reduces their life expectancy.”