A mathematical model for the burden of diabetes and its complications

Abstract

Background: The incidence and prevalence of diabetes are increasing all over the world. Complications of diabetes constitute a burden for the individuals and the whole society. Methods: In the present paper, ordinary differential equations and numerical approximations are used to monitor the size of populations of diabetes with and without complications. Results: Different scenarios are discussed according to a set of parameters and the dynamical evolution of the population from the stage of diabetes to the stage of diabetes with complications is clearly illustrated. Conclusions: The model shows how efficient and cost-effective strategies can be obtained by acting on diabetes incidence and/or controlling the evolution to the stage of complications. © 2004 Boutayeb et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.