Comprehensive Diabetes Center
Patient Care Print E-mail

Diabetes is a group of disorders in which blood sugar levels are above normal due to defects in insulin production from pancreatic beta cells, insulin action, or both.  Diabetes can lead to severe complications and even death if improperly controlled.  Complications include heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and amputation of lower limbs.  Approximately 26 million Americans (8.3% of the population) have been diagnosed with diabetes and the prevalence of diabetes is rapidly increasing.  In fact, a 2010 report in Population Health Metrics predicts that the diabetes prevalence will triple and that up to one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050.  Of note, Alabama has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the nation.

Aside from the human suffering, the health care costs of diabetes are also extremely high.  The yearly medical costs of treating diabetes and its complications are estimated to be approximately $176 billion.  The yearly indirect costs (disability, work loss, premature death) of diabetes are estimated to be $69 billion.
 
Patient Care
To make an appointment:

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology

  • Pediatric Clinic: (205) 934-5275
  • Transitional Clinic: (205) 996-ENDO (3636)



Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism

  • Adult Clinic: (205) 996-ENDO (3636)

Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Diabetes Clinic

  • Multidisciplinary Clinic and Transitional Clinic: (205) 996-ENDO (3636)

Clinical Trials

UAB and Children's Hospital have several on-going clinical trials in type 1 and type 2 diabetes which are now enrolling new patients.

  • For information on ongoing clinical trials in UAB Endocrinology, please contact:
    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
    Research Nurse, Diabetes & Endocrine Clinical Research Unit
    FOT 702
    1720 2nd Ave South
    Birmingham, AL 35294
    Phone 205-934-4112; Fax 205-934-4379
  • ClinicalTrials.gov is a searchable site which provides information on all on-going clinical trials in the U.S.