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Lebanese Society of Endocrinology Diabetes & Lipids (LSEDL) Pioneering Call to Action for Diabetes Prevention & Early Intervention in Lebanon

Lebanese Society of Endocrinology Diabetes & Lipids (LSEDL) Pioneering Call to Action for Diabetes Prevention & Early Intervention in Lebanon

Beirut, Lebanon, 2025 – Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Lipids (LSEDL,) with Novo Nordisk’s unconditional support, hosted a press event on November 7 aimed at shedding light on the urgent need for diabetes prevention and early intervention.

Diabetes is rising worldwide, now impacting 589 million people globally and about 439,700 in Lebanon¹.

Diabetes occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and/ or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Common diabetes symptoms include increased thirst and urination, increased hunger, fatigue, blurry vision, slow-healing sores, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and frequent infections².

High blood-glucose levels cause progressive damage to blood vessels all over the body, resulting in a variety of complications³. 50% of people with type 2 diabetes already have one complication at the time of diagnosis.⁴

“The common practice around diabetes management was solely revolved around lowering blood glucose. Today diabetes management goes way beyond hyperglycaemia by targeting complications: cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes related eye complications, neuropathy…” explained Dr Mireille Amm, President of the Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Lipids (LSEDL).

In fact, adults with diabetes have 2-4 times increased cardiovascular risk compared with adults without diabetes⁵. Moreover, studies show that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among people with type 2 diabetes⁶.

Diabetes implications are not only related to the heart, as diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD)⁷. Approximately 40% of people with type 2 diabetes develop CKD during their lifetime⁸. As for microvascular complications, diabetic retinopathy is the most common one⁹. Eye exams are an important screening tool for patients with diabetes in order to prevent the more severe and vision-threatening consequences of the disease¹⁰.

Diabetes is manageable through regular Healthcare Professionals’ checkups, lifestyle modifications, and treatment compliance.

By recognizing diabetes as a chronic, systemic disease, the Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Lipids (LSEDL) in Lebanon is emphasizing public awareness and early intervention as innovative treatments today are helping patients better manage glucose levels, prevent complications, and significantly improve quality of life.
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About Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day brings together the endocrine community to promote awareness and better management of diabetes. The initiative emphasizes prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care strategies to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.

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About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a Danish pharmaceutical company, established in 1923, that focuses on defeating serious chronic diseases through scientific innovation, increased access to medicines, and disease prevention. The company employs over 77,000 people globally, markets its products in 170 countries, and is a significant producer of insulin, with a heritage rooted in diabetes care. For more details, visit their official website at www.novonordisk.com.

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References
1. International Diabetes Federation, IDF Diabetes Atlas, 2025.

2. www.cdc.gov – 2024 – Symptoms of Diabetes

3. World Health Organization. Diabetes. Fact sheet Europe. 2025 Diabetes

4. Bonora E et al., Chronic complications in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: prevalence and related metabolic and clinical features: the Verona Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Study (VNDS) 9. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020;8(1):e001549.

5. Dal Canto E et al., Diabetes as a cardiovascular risk factor: An overview of global trends of macro and micro vascular complications. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 2019;26(2_suppl):25-32.

6. American Heart Association et al., Comprehensive Management of Cardiovascular Risk Factors for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2022;146(1):e18-e55.

7. Fenta ET et al., Prevalence and predictors of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetic patients worldwide: systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome. 2023;15(1):245.

8. de Boer IH et al., Diabetes Management in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Diabetes Care. 2022;45(12):3075-3090.

9. Shukla UV, Tripathy K. Diabetic Retinopathy. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Last update: August 25, 2023.

10. Robin A, Giovingo M. Screening recommendations for diabetics. Dis Mon. 2021 May;67(5):101116.