Cardiovascular disease is a common complication for people with diabetes
- In 2007–08, almost 520,000 people with diabetes (58%) also had cardiovascular disease, based on self-reported data from the National Health Survey (NHS).
For more information, see Diabetes indicators in Australia.
Vision loss is also a common complication for people with diabetes
- Over 95,000 (10.7%) people with diabetes also had vision loss in 2007–08, based on self-reports from the NHS.
- In 2001, long-term vision loss among people with diabetes was 15.3%.
For more information, see Diabetes indicators in Australia.
Treated end-stage kidney disease among people with diabetes is on the rise
- Nearly 5,700 people with diabetes also had treated ESKD in Australia, equating to 0.6% of Australians with diabetes in 2008.
- Between 2005 and 2008, the rate of treated ESKD among people with diabetes decreased from 7.8 to 6.3 per 1,000 people with diabetes, taking into account differences in age structure over time (Figure 2).
For more information, see Diabetes indicators in Australia.
In 2007–08, males with diabetes were around twice as likely to have hospitalisations for lower limb amputations as females
- Between 2001 and 2007–08, hospital separations for lower limb amputations declined, especially in males (Figure 3).
For more information, see Diabetes indicators in Australia.
Further information
AIHW 2012. Diabetes indicators in Australia.
Definitions
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cardiovascular disease includes diseases of the circulatory system, namely the heart (cardio) or blood vessels (vascular). For a full list of inclusions, please see the National indicators for monitoring diabetes.
- Diabetes complications
- Diabetes can result in a range of short- and long-term complications which are the major causes of associated morbidity and mortality in people with diabetes. Improving the management and care of diabetes, particularly the early identification and reduction of risk factors, can delay the onset or slow the progression of complications.
- Lower limb amputation
- Surgical removal of toes, foot and lower leg. For a full list of inclusions, please see the National indicators for monitoring diabetes.
- Treated end stage kidney disease (ESKD)
- ESKD is defined here as persons who are registered on the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA). This registry provides information on virtually all people with ESKD who undergo either dialysis or transplant.
- Vision loss
- Vision loss includes cataract, glaucoma, and complete blindness.
Source data
Table 1: Prevalence of long-term visual loss among people with diabetes, 2001 to 2007–08
|
2001 |
2004–05 |
2007–08 |
| Persons |
15.3 |
13.8 |
10.7 |
Note: Age-standardised to the 2001 National Health Survey diabetes population.
Sources: AIHW analysis of ABS National Health Survey 2001, 2004–05 and 2007–08 National Health Survey (Reissue) Confidentialised Unit Record File.
Table 2: Rate of treated ESKD among people with diabetes, 2005 to 2008
|
2005 |
2008 |
| Males |
8.6 |
7.0 |
| Females |
6.8 |
5.9 |
| Persons |
7.8 |
6.3 |
Note: Age-standardised to the ABS NHS 2004–05 diabetes population.
Sources: AIHW analysis of Australia and New Zealand dialysis and transplant registry dataset; AIHW analysis of ABS National Health Survey 2004–05 and 2007–08 (Reissue).
Table 3: Rate of hospitalisations for lower limb amputation among people with diabetes, 2001 to 2007–08
|
2001 |
2004–05 |
2007–08 |
| Males |
7.3 |
5.6 |
5.6 |
| Females |
2.7 |
2.8 |
2.5 |
| Persons |
4.8 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
Notes
1. Age-standardised to the 2001 NHS diabetes population.
2.Gestational diabetes was excluded from the analysis.
Sources: AIHW NHMD; AIHW analysis of ABS NHS 2001, 2004–05 and 2007–08 (Reissue).