Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of and/or reduced sensitivity to insulin. Insulin is made by the pancreas. In type 1 diabetes, there is a misplaced immune response against the body's own pancreatic cells and insulin is totally absent. Type 2 diabetes is usually caused by reduced sensitivity to insulin, where the own pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to overcome this insensitivity. This reduced sensitivity is often caused by obesity. Insulin plays a role in blood sugar metabolism but also in many other metabolic processes. Diabetes leads not only to disturbed glucose levels and other metabolic problems but, in addition, to accelerated and severe vascular problems. Problems in the small vessels manifest themselves in eye problems or kidney problems. If damage occurs in the large vessels, it can result in heart disease, among other things.
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In the Netherlands, much and good diabetes research is carried out where there is interaction between very basic, experimental and patient-related research. Diabetes research focuses on many facets of the disease. In terms of cause, for example, it looks at the immune response that leads to type 1 diabetes. In terms of treatment, smart combinations of continuous glucose sensors through the skin and responsive insulin pumps are a hopeful development. Treatments of diabetes-related organ problems are also being studied. Attention is also paid to prevention, including the influence of nutrition.
