ABSTRACT
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to review the literature and the new items about diabetes approach in Greece.
Materials and Methods: Study of international and Greek literature from electronic databases Medline, PubMed and scientific journals, WHO, and other current databases, mainly from the last ten years. The keywords used were: diabetes mellitus, National Health System, insulin approach and complications.
Literature review: From the literature review data showed that diabetes presents a higher incidence in the western world which is related to diet and sedentary life style. Greece has a population of about 11 million and most of the specialists indicated that the prevalence of diabetes in Greece is close to 7% for 2011. One diabetic subject loses his leg every 20 seconds worldwide and annually one million of diabetic foot is lost. Patients with diabetes exhibit considerable heterogeneity in the severity of the disease and in the need of managing it by physicians of primary or secondary care . Today, most patients who visit Diabetes Outpatient clinics, should and could easily be monitored by physicians or general practitioners and not by qualified medical personnel.
Conclusions: The objectives of a National Plan of Action should be aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with type 2diabetes and the prevention of complications. National Health System in Greece has to give access for at least regular testing for diabetes in all people.
Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, National Health System, insulin approach and complications.