A Comprehensive Overview and Prognosis of the Diabetes Market

Diabetes is one of the most serious health problems in the modern world. Currently about 537 million adults live with diabetes worldwide and this number is rising significantly each year. It is expected to reach 643 million patients by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. Rising prevalence of diabetes results in placing this condition in the top 10 contributors to DALYS2 and causes 6.7 million deaths annually. As for now, there is no drug that can permanently cure diabetes. Therefore, treatment is based on the management of the disease with the support of medications helping control the sugar levels. This contributes to better quality of patient life and limiting outcomes from the disease.

Diabetes is a chronic disease connected with sugar metabolism. It is characterised by elevated levels of blood sugar caused by poor functions of pancreas and insulin production. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). T1D is a condition where pancreas does not produce insulin at all, or not enough for efficient sugar management. The majority of T1D cases are diagnosed early in life and the risk factor is mainly genetic. Treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes is based on insulin intake and in some cases additionally other oral drugs.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and accounts for about 90% of diagnosis. In case of T2D, pancreas does produce insulin, but it cannot work effectively, or there is not enough of it. Unlike T1D, type 2 diabetes is developed over time and is mostly diagnosed with adults. There are various risk factors leading to T2D, most of them connected with lifestyle. Besides stress, sedentary lifestyle, poor dieting habits and mental health issues, obesity is identified as the main cause of type 2 diabetes.
Is there a type 3 diabetes?‍ “Type 3 diabetes” is a term sometimes used to describe Alzheimer’s disease. Although it’s not officially recognized as a distinct form of diabetes, it shares similarities with other types. Researchers propose that insulin dysregulation in the brain contributes to dementia. However, controversy surrounds this theory, as major health organisations do not classify Alzheimer’s as a type of diabetes. Some studies show that blood sugar management might help prevent dementia, but it is not well-established practice just yet, as further research is needed to support this theory. Nevertheless, it is worth paying extra attention to type 3 diabetes theory development, as it may effect in significant expansion of diabetes medicine market.
Global burden of diabetes
‍Regardless of diabetes' possible impact on brain functioning, it is also linked more directly with many other health issues. It is well-established that diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, it may also lead to kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, lower limb amputation and cardiovascular conditions. Therefore the global burden of diabetes is a problem addressed by various organizations and authorities. Despite significant investments in clinical care, research and public health interventions, there appears to be no sign of slowing down the diabetes prevalence growth. Therefore the effective management of diabetes and accessible pharmacotherapies are crucial for patients’ well-being all around the world.
Effective management of diabetes and accessible pharmacotherapies
‍Treatment for T2D, besides lifestyle changes and weight loss, is most commonly based on oral medications. These include various groups of possible choices:

Metformin – the first-line drug for T2D treatment. Metformin may be used in monotherapy and in combination with other molecules. The dosage varies between 500mg – 3 000mg daily.

Sulfonylureas – so-called old generation of drugs, they lose their importance in favor of more modern options with less side effects, like flozins or gliptins.

Sodium-glucose co-transporters type 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 or flozins) – new-generation drugs, they increase the excretion of glucose in the urine, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. Additionally, they contribute to weight loss and have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. Flozins include molecules like dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, which are the most dynamically developing drugs for T2D management4. Standard dosage for dapagliflozin is 5-10mg/daily, for empagliflozin 10-25mg/daily.

Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4 inhibitors or gliptins) - novel oral glucose-lowering agents, which may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic compounds. DPP-4 inhibitors work by blocking the action of DPP-4, an enzyme that destroys the hormone, incretin, helping regulate the glucose level. Gliptins, like linagliptin or sitagliptin are the most mature new-generation drugs commonly used in T2D treatment. Standard dosage for linagliptin is 5mg/daily, for sitagliptin 100mg/daily.                                              Reaed more ... https://www.api.polpharma.com/articles/a-comprehensive-overview-and-prognosis-of-the-diabetes-market