Study: About 400,000 Dutch people are suffering from type 2 diabetes without knowing it.
Around 400,000 people in Nederland (Netherlands) are living with type 2 diabetes without knowing it, according to a new study. Health experts warn this hidden epidemic could cause widespread long-term damage if left undetected.
The research was commissioned by the Nederlandse Diabetes Stichting (Dutch Diabetes Foundation) and conducted by the Dutch Cohort Consortium. The foundation said the findings show a much larger diabetes problem than previously believed. Untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to permanent harm to nerves, eyes, kidneys, and the heart.
ديينا هالبيرتسما, director of the Nederlandse Diabetes Stichting, said that living for years with undiagnosed diabetes causes irreversible damage, including dementia and cardiovascular disease. She added that about half of all people with type 2 diabetes develop serious complications. Beyond individual suffering, the disease also places heavy pressure on healthcare systems and increases work absences.
Professor ميراندا شرام, a specialist in diabetes epidemiology, said the results are extremely worrying. She explained that while many people already know they have the disease, the discovery of hundreds of thousands of undiagnosed cases highlights the urgent need for accessible screening programs to prevent severe health problems.
Type 2 diabetes is often described as a “silent killer” because it develops slowly and without clear symptoms. People who are overweight or physically inactive face higher risks, but anyone can develop it. The foundation urges residents to take the Diabetes Risk Test and consult their huisarts (general practitioner) if results show high risk, stressing that early detection can limit damage and sometimes prevent the disease entirely.