Latest National Diabetes Audit published 2008-09

More people with diabetes are receiving the care recommended to monitor their condition, but the number receiving effective treatment as a result has stalled and the number with certain complications has increased, according to the latest Audit.

Key findings from the audit reveal:

• The prevalence of diabetes has increased by 25 per cent over the past six years, from 3.3 to 4.1 per cent.
• In six years obesity in people with Type 2 diabetes has increased by 10 per cent overall to reach over 50 per cent.
• Type 2 diabetes is 40 per cent more common in people who are the most socio-economically deprived in the country, compared to those who are the least.

The audit, commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership and managed by The NHS Information Centre, is the largest of its kind in the world and includes records for over 1.7 million people with diabetes in England and Wales. Of which, over 39,000 records are for children and young people with diabetes. Records were submitted from 5920 practices, 110 paediatric units and 44 secondary care units in England. A further 152 practices and 14 paediatric units in Wales provided data.