REVIEW OF TYPE 2 DIABETES: A FOCUS ON THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease resulting from a complex interaction between genetics and the environment, together with other risk factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes and its complications constitute a major global public health problem, affecting nearly all populations in both developed and developing countries with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased exponentially, and a high prevalence rate has been observed in developing countries and in populations undergoing "Westernization" or modernization. This article summarizes the current understanding of the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes, and the roles of genes, lifestyle, and other factors in contributing to the rapid increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes.