Patients suffering from diabetes are the center of our attention
We apply the most current therapeutic and technological solutions to alleviate diabetes treatment for patients.
We strive to build comprehensive solutions for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases, characterized by an increase of blood sugar (glucose) level, called hyperglycemia, and resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. The United Nations called diabetes a 21st-century epidemic, and the International Diabetes Federation alarms that by 2045 it will affect almost 629 million people.
Number of diabetics worldwide
98 million
65-79 years of age
327 million
20-64 years of age
2017
Diabetes between
20 to 79-year-olds
191 million
65-79 years of age
438 million
20-64 years of age
2045
Source: IDF Diabetes Atlas, Eighth edition, 2017
Types of diabetes
Type
1
diabetes
Type I diabetes is often referred to as “juvenile diabetes” or “insulin-dependent diabetes”. This diabetes type is characterized by a progressive deficiency of insulin production. It is an autoimmunological disease, which makes the body produce antibodies and destroy insulin-producing beta cells. Their destruction results in the pancreas being unable to produce insulin again. This, in turn, leads to a rapid blood sugar (glucose) level rise and the development of diabetes symptoms. Persons of any age may be affected by Type I diabetes, although it usually emerges in childhood or adolescence. Patients with this type of diabetes account for 5-10% of all diabetics. Treatment involves the administration of insulin for the whole life, since patients’ bodies do not produce it themselves. An important element of the treatment process is a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
destruction of cells
β
in the pancreas
5-10%
of all
diabetics
pharmacological treatment
with insulin
Type
2
diabetes
Type II diabetes usually afflicts mature patients (over 45 years of age), but is becoming more and more common in children and teenagers. Type II diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiencies, resulting from incorrect insulin production by the pancreatic beta cells, as well as from the decrease of tissue vulnerability to insulin (insulin resistance). As a result of these two conditions, the blood sugar (glucose) level rises. Almost 90% of all diabetic patients have Type II diabetes. Important risk factors for the development of this type of diabetes include low physical activity, overweight and obesity. Due to the complex causes of the development of Type II diabetes, drugs with different mechanisms of action are prescribed. As the disease progresses, due to the decreased insulin production by the pancreatic beta cells, some (approximately 30%) patients may be required to use insulin.
increased risk after
45
years of age
approximately
90%
of all cases
80% Type II diabetics
are overweight or obese
PREGNANCY AND
DIABETES
Pregnant women are prone to develop any type of diabetes. It may be diabetes that the patient had suffered from before she was pregnant, or one that developed in pregnancy. The doctors may diagnose Type I or II diabetes, but in the second and third trimester, due to the changes caused by pregnancy and to the development of insulin resistance (a decrease of tissue vulnerability to insulin), pregnant women may suffer from gestational diabetes. It usually goes away when the child is born, but gestational diabetes makes patients more likely to develop Type II diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes treatment involves special meal plans and, if that proves ineffective – insulin treatment. Oral diabetes drugs are not allowed for pregnant women, regardless of the diabetes type they suffer from. Due to the special care that a pregnant woman with diabetes requires and in the best interest of the mother and child, treatment of pregnancy-developed diabetes should take place in specialized obstetric diabetic clinics.
Every pregnant woman
should be screened for diabetes
Women with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing Type
2
diabetes in the future
Specialist clinical
care is recommended
Other types of diabetes
GENETIC DEFECTS OF THE PANCREATIC BETA CELL FUNCTIONS
GENETIC DEFECTS IN INSULIN ACTION
DISEASES IN THE EXOCRINE PANCREAS
ENDOCRINOPATHIES
DRUG- OR CHEMICAL-INDUCED DIABETES
INFECTION-INDUCED DIABETES
RARE IMMUNE-MEDIATED FORMS
OTHER GENETIC SYNDROMES RELATED TO DIABETES
Insulin
Insulin is produced by beta cells in the pancreas. It is a protein hormone that conditions carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, which in turn determines the proper growth and differentiation of cells.
Recombinant human insulin is on the WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines and remains the most effective therapy in diabetes treatment. It is manufactured using modern technologies that apply genetic engineering methods. The insulin obtained in this process is identical to the insulin produced in the pancreas.
The idea behind insulin treatment is to mimic physiological insulin secretion. This can be achieved by applying the Intensive Functional Insulin Therapy (injecting basal insulin and supplying bolus insulin before meals) or by supplying insulin through an external insulin pump.
Insulin types
Basal
Mimicking basal insulin release:
- NPH insulin, intermediate- and long-acting
- Long-acting insulin analogs
Bolus
Insulins responsible for controlling blood sugar (glucose) levels after meals, administered in situations when a rapid glucose level reduction is necessary:
- Short-acting human insulin
- Rapid-acting insulin analogs
- Inhaled insulin
Sometimes, especially for the treatment of Type II diabetes, pre-mixed insulin can be used. Such a pre-mixed formulation combines insulins of different onsets and durations (e.g. short-acting human insulin and NPH insulin). This treatment is intended for patients who lead a regular lifestyle, eat meals at fixed times and in same-sized portions.
Human insulin analog is genetically modified human insulin. Analogs are created in order to speed up, shorten or lengthen the onset of action of the insulin preparation.
Integrated solutions in diabetes care
Responding to the needs of patients and the medical community, we strive to build comprehensive solutions for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. We apply the most current therapeutic and technological solutions, as well as our knowledge in the field of diabetology.
Treating diabetes
The complex process of treating diabetes is made up of several interrelated elements. The most important ones are:
Pharmaceutical
therapy
Cooperating with
the diabetes care team
An appropriate physical
activity program
Monitoring
blood pressure
Maintaining a healthy
body weight
A healthy diet
monitoring
glucose levels
Healthy lifestyle
