Nearly 1.3 million people in Greece living with diabetes
Nearly 1.3 million people in Greece are living with diabetes, with approximately 50,000 new cases reported annually, highlighting the growing public health challenge posed by the disease. Advances in medication, glucose-monitoring technology and artificial intelligence are also transforming treatment and long-term disease management.
The figures and latest developments in diabetes care were presented by Kyriakos Kazakos, professor emeritus of internal medicine and diabetes and chairman of the organising committee of the 39th Conference of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Education of Diabetes (ELEMED), held in Thessaloniki.
Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) on the sidelines of the conference, Kazakos linked the rising number of type 2 diabetes cases partly to changes in dietary habits, declining adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet and increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
Recent data from Greece's electronic health insurance administration system, IDIKA, indicate that 1,336,340 people were enrolled in at least one diabetes treatment protocol in October 2026. The figure compares with 1,067,165 in 2021, representing an increase of approximately 25.2% over five years.
NEW MEDICATIONS OFFER ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
Kazakos highlighted the introduction of two newer categories of diabetes medication over the past decade, including oral and injectable treatments that offer benefits beyond blood glucose regulation, particularly in cardiovascular and kidney protection.
GLP-1 receptor agonists have attracted particular attention because they can help regulate blood glucose levels while also promoting weight loss. This is especially relevant for people with type 2 diabetes, many of whom also experience overweight or obesity.
However, Kazakos cautioned against the use of GLP-1 medications intended for diabetes treatment by people who do not have the condition, warning that this could contribute to supply shortages. He also noted that specific medications are available for obesity treatment, although reimbursement for such treatment is not universally provided in Greece.
He expressed support for the country's "Prolamvano" preventive healthcare programme, which previously covered treatment for certain people with obesity and additional risk factors, and voiced hope that the initiative would be reactivated.
ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS TECHNOLOGY ON THE HORIZON
Technological advances are also changing how diabetes is monitored and treated.
Continuous glucose monitoring systems, typically worn on the upper arm, provide real-time information about blood glucose levels and offer a more comprehensive picture than conventional finger-prick testing.
Meanwhile, insulin pumps are increasingly capable of replicating the body's natural insulin-delivery process.
According to Kazakos, the next major development will involve integrating glucose-monitoring devices and insulin pumps through intelligent algorithms and artificial intelligence. This would create a closed-loop system known as an artificial pancreas, capable of automatically adjusting insulin delivery in response to glucose levels.
He described the technology as being close to practical implementation, highlighting the expected role of artificial intelligence in further advancing diabetes care.
NEARLY HALF OF TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS ALSO HAVE HYPERTENSION
The close relationship between diabetes and high blood pressure was another major topic at the conference.
Christina Antza, assistant professor of internal medicine and hypertension at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, said that nearly one in two people with type 2 diabetes also have hypertension. In certain population groups, the proportion can reach 75%.
Obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and kidney damage are among the factors contributing to the coexistence of the two conditions, increasing the burden on both the cardiovascular and renal systems.
Antza also highlighted the growing global burden of hypertension and the fact that many people remain unaware of their condition or do not receive adequate treatment.
She discussed the role of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which help lower blood glucose levels by increasing glucose and sodium excretion through urine. These medications can also provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, including reducing hospitalisation for heart failure and slowing the deterioration of kidney function.
However, she stressed that they should not be considered a replacement for conventional blood pressure medication.
NEW TREATMENTS REQUIRE CAREFUL MONITORING
Dimitris Patoulias, assistant professor of internal medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, discussed the effects of newer incretin-based treatments on blood pressure.
GLP-1 receptor agonists and tirzepatide, which acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, can improve blood glucose control and promote substantial weight loss. They may also have beneficial effects on blood pressure.
Studies have associated tirzepatide treatment with reductions in systolic blood pressure of approximately 8–10 mmHg.
Nevertheless, Patoulias emphasised that the blood pressure-lowering effects of these treatments are relatively limited and cannot replace established antihypertensive medication.
He added that patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity may experience greater benefits, as may certain groups, including people with obstructive sleep apnoea.
He also warned that particular care is needed when initiating treatment in patients experiencing significant gastrointestinal symptoms, as dehydration, reduced blood volume and hypotension may occur. Such symptoms can also make it more difficult for patients to take their other prescribed medications.
The discussions at the Thessaloniki conference highlighted the growing importance of integrated approaches to diabetes management, combining early diagnosis, modern medication, technological innovation and the prevention of cardiovascular and kidney complications.
