|
|
|
TRANSPLANT
RECORD FOR DIABETES SUFFERERS
A record number of diabetics benefited from a life-enhancing dual kidney
and pancreas transplant last year.
Figures released by UK Transplant to coincide with National Diabetes
Week (12-18 June) show that 70 diabetics received the combined
transplant in the 12 months to March 2005, up 61% on the previous year's
figure of 43 and more than five times the 1994/95 figure.
The news was welcomed by UK Transplant Medical Director Chris Rudge:
"Diabetes is an increasingly common condition and the leading cause
of kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure.
"This dual transplant treats kidney failure as well as the diabetes
that causes it, so it is a much better form of treatment for patients
than long-term dialysis.
"Today's figures reflect increased recognition of the value of this
type of transplant. The figures have also been boosted by the recent
introduction of a nationwide system for the sharing and allocation of
joint kidneys and pancreata for transplantation."
Mr Rudge added: "The number of people who can be helped in this way
depends on the generosity of donors, so we urge people to discuss their
wishes with their family and sign up to the NHS Organ Donor
Register."
Diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure and occurs when the pancreas
does not produce enough, or any, insulin.
Insulin is responsible for the absorption of glucose (sugars) into the
cells to give them energy and into the liver and fat cells for storage.
There are two main types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 usually
occurs in people under 30. It develops rapidly, destroying the
insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and people with the condition
have to inject insulin to control their blood glucose levels. Those with
Type 1 diabetes are most likely to need a transplant.
A present there are 418 people awaiting a transplant as a result of
diabetes, of which 328 have Type 1. The remaining 90 patients have
Type 2 diabetes, which develops more gradually and is most commonly seen
in people over 40.
It has been predicted that the number of people with diabetes will
double during the next decade due to people leading increasingly
sedentary lifestyles and poor diets.
The diabetic patients are among more than 6,000 people who are currently
waiting for an organ transplant in the
UK
. A shortage of donors means that only about
2,500 transplants are carried out each year and last year over 400
people died while waiting for an organ to be donated.
There are currently 12.3 million people on the NHS Organ Donor Register
- just over 20% of the
UK
population. People can find out more about
transplantation and organ donation by visiting
www.uktransplant.org.uk
or contacting the Organ Donation Line on 0845 60 60 400.
For further information contact
UK
Transplant Communications on 0117 975
7475
DID YOU KNOW?
· 1,790
kidney, pancreas or combined kidney/pancreas transplants were carried
out last year.
· Just over 10% of these (186)
were for diabetes. The proportion has risen from 6% in 1994/95.
· 41% of people with diabetes
who received a kidney, pancreas or combined kidney/pancreas transplant
last year were aged under 40 and 8% were under 30.
· You are more likely to need
a transplant than become a donor.
· You can only donate organs
if you die in hospital. Corneas and other tissue, however, can be
donated up to 24 hours after death.
· Traditionally organ donors
have come from two groups: road accident and brain haemorrhage patients.
Improved road safety and medical advances mean that
fewer in both groups are dying.
· More than half of people on
the NHS Organ Donor Register were aged between 15 and 34 years old when
they joined.
· UK Transplant is responsible
for maintaining the NHS Organ Donor Register and providing a 24-hour
service for the matching and allocation
of donated organs. The Government
has pledged to increase the number of people registered on the NHS Organ
Donor Register to 16 million by 2010.
(13/6/05)
|
|
