The prevalence of diabetes broke records in Portugal last year, with 14.2% of the population, the highest figure ever, and the disease recorded the highest number of new cases in Primary Health Care, with 88,476, according to a report.
Data from the Annual Report of the National Diabetes Observatory – “Diabetes: Facts and Figures” –, prepared by the Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD) and released this Tuesday, show a growing trend of the disease in the country and warn of the persistence of high levels of underdiagnosis, attributed, in part, to the lack of integration of data from the private sector.
Despite the progress observed in some indicators, the report highlights the stagnation in the number of amputations related to diabetes, which has remained stable for a decade – with amputations ‘major’ to represent an identical proportion to those ‘minor’ –, a data considered “worrying”.
“Although we have recovered screenings and consultations after the pandemic, the number of amputations remains unchanged. It is a sign that we are still failing to control the most serious complications of the disease”, said Rita Nortadas, president of the National Diabetes Observatory, quoted in a statement.
The data also indicates that, in 2024, the direct cost of diabetes in Portugal was estimated at between 1500 and 1800 million euros, which is equivalent to 0.5-0.6% of national GDP and between 5% and 6% of total health expenditure.
“This report confirms that we are facing an epidemic that continues to grow in Portugal. The constant increase in the prevalence of diabetes requires more effective prevention measures, early diagnosis and coordination between levels of care”defended Rita Nortadas.
The report also reveals positive trends that reflect improvements in the monitoring and control of the disease: there was a 39% reduction in the potential years of life lost due to diabetes over the last decade, a slight decrease in the disease’s causes of death, as well as a significant decrease in hospital admissions in which diabetes appears as the main or associated diagnosis.
More than 90% of hospitalizations occur in the adult population and 85.3% of people with diabetes had at least one consultation registered with the National Health Service (SNS) in 2024, figures that demonstrate the recovery of assistance activity in Primary Health Care.
“The lack of more detailed data – by type of diabetes, by sector and by region – continues to be an obstacle to the formulation of effective health policies”considers Rita Nortadas, who argues that it is fundamental “moving towards integrated information systems that enable evidence-based decisions”.
“Diabetes represents up to 0.6% of national GDP. Investing in disease prevention and management is investing in the sustainability of the health system and people’s quality of life”concludes Rita Nortadas.
Diabetes currently affects around 589 million adults worldwide, a number that could exceed 800 million in the coming decades.
In Portugal, around 1.1 million adults live with diabetes, which, according to SPD, reinforces the urgency of prevention and monitoring policies.