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Diabetes research

Diabetes research

Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century and one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally. It is an important cause of death in most high-income countries, with ~366 million diabetics in 2011 and an estimated 552 million in 2030.

Type 1 diabetes is "insulin dependent diabetes" while type 2 diabetes is "insulin-resistant diabetes". Approximately 85%of people with diabetes are type 2. Although type 1 diabetes is less common, it is a potentially devastating disorder affecting both children and adults.

The most common long-term complications of diabetes include damage to the large blood vessels of the heart, brain and legs (macrovascular complications) and damage to the small blood vessels, causing  problems in the eyes, kidneys, feet and nerves (microvascular complications).