Diabetes research in China: current status and future challenges

Diabetes research in China: current status and future challenges

摘要

Diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 diabetes, has become a major health problem worldwide. Improved living standards have led to changes in the diet and lifestyle of the Chinese people, which has resulted in a dramatic increase in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in China. It is estimated that there are 100 million people in China with diabetes and another 200 million people with prediabetes. Diabetes related diseases, such as macrovascular and microvascular complications and tumors, are considered to be leading causes of death and disability in China. The marked increase in the prevalence of diabetes in China may be attributed to a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors, involving susceptibility genes, epigenetic modification, and dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. In recent years, China has made enormous progress in understanding diabetes epidemiology, determining susceptible genes, improving insulin secretion and sensitivity in patients, devising strategies to prevent and treat diabetes. However, successful prevention and treatment of diabetes will ultimately require the combined efforts of the government, society, the medical community, the pharmaceutical community, and patients themselves.