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U.S. diabetes population continues to grow, reaching 14.5 million, for overall increase of 86 percent over last decade, according to new Roper Diabetes study by GfK Market Measures

Research reveals diabetes complications are widespread and growing, and patients desire to gain better control over disease

EAST HANOVER, NJ – January 19, 2006– There was a steady growth in the number of newly-diagnosed diabetes patients in the United States in 2005, with an additional 1.1 million patients bringing the total population to 14.5 million. And while the majority of these patients engage in regular blood testing and treatment therapies, GfK Market Measures’ Roper U.S. Diabetes Patient Market Study reveals that achieving control over the disease remains difficult and resulting complications in the health of diabetes sufferers are widespread and growing.

Research results show treatment therapies and blood testing practices within the diabetes population remain similar to 2004 figures, with 61 percent of patients participating in the study reporting to be exclusive pill users, 30 percent as insulin users and nine percent as non-medicators, together with 88 percent reporting as regular blood glucose testers. Despite these treatments and monitoring, results reveal that achieving blood glucose control remains difficult for diabetes patients, as reported incidences of high glucose measurements suggest problems and 87 percent of respondents report they would like to be in better control of their disease.

Other highlights from the GfK Market Measures study indicate that further health complications from diabetes are prevalent and on the rise. The proportion of total patients experiencing cardiovascular and microvascular problems (76 and 79 percent, respectively) has increased since 2001, with a particular note that the increase in these same health complications is even higher among insulin patients.

“The impact of these added health problems is reflected in diabetes patients’ attitudes toward their disease, particularly among insulin users who are more likely than those on other treatments to regard their diabetes as ‘severe.’ In addition, fewer than three in 10 patients in total consider themselves to be in ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ health,” said David Jacobson, Senior Vice President of GfK Market Measures’ Roper Global Diabetes Program.
Further key findings from the study point to growing trends in sources of information for these patients. When seeking sources of information and education on diabetes, the Internet appears to be used rather infrequently, with the majority of study respondents reporting Web activity less often than once a week. Conversely, nearly half of patients are turning to diabetes magazines and other general media sources for information, with an increase in reported use of these media over 2004 figures.

Diabetes Patients Share Their Insights

Providing a global perspective on diabetes, GfK Market Measures’ Roper Global Diabetes Program is viewed as the industry gold standard in diabetes market research. The Roper Diabetes Patient Market Studies deliver comparable results in major regions around the world, including the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Based on feedback from diagnosed patients, the Studies give key information on every facet of diabetes from patient attitudes and demographics to product awareness and usage to source of care and the doctor/patient relationship.

This particular study focused on the U.S. diabetes population. The research is based on in-depth telephone interviews with a nationally-representative sample of 2,008 diagnosed diabetes patients, conducted between July 7 and September 18, 2005.

About GfK Market Measures (formerly NOP World Health)

GfK Market Measures provides healthcare clients with a unique mix of custom and syndicated solutions to support the full marketing continuum, including market assessment, brand tracking, sales force effectiveness, healthcare consumer and product launch applications. GfK Market Measures is a proud member of the GfK U.S. Healthcare Companies, the largest provider of custom healthcare marketing research services in the United States. For further information please visit www.gfkmarketmeasures.com.

For more details on this study or to schedule an interview with a GfK Market Measures executive, please contact Jessica Makovsky, Group Vice President of Communications, GfK U.S. Healthcare Companies, at 215.283.3200 x372 or jmakovsky@gfkushc.com.