Final answer:
The number of diabetic patients at any one time represents the prevalence of disease, including both new and existing cases within a population at a given time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of diabetic patients at any one time is an example of the prevalence of disease. Prevalence refers to the total number of both new and existing cases of a disease in a population at a given time. This measure is crucial as it helps to estimate the likelihood that someone in a group will have the disease and indicates the overall healthcare burden of the disease. Unlike incidence, which measures the number of new cases during a specific time period, prevalence accounts for all cases, thus giving a broader picture of the disease's impact on society. The calculation of prevalence is essential in chronic diseases such as diabetes, where cases accumulate over time.