The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Rural folk being screened for diabetes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 01, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Rural folk being screened for diabetes

M. Dinesh Varma

DAN is mostly undetected in early stages

CHENNAI: A study is under way to evaluate the prevalence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN), an asymptomatic and serious diabetic complication, among the population in rural Ariyanayakipuram, near Tirunelveli.

The study launched by diagnostic manufacturer DyAnsys India in association with Tirunelveli Medical College involves screening the entire adult population — around 2,300 people — for the diabetes complication. More than 60 doctors from the Tirunelveli Medical College are assisting in the study.

"The objectives are twofold. First, we are expecting to understand the occurrence of diabetes and the attendant occurrence of DAN in a sample village like Ariyanayakipuram," said Srini Nageshwar, CEO, DyAnsys India.

The findings could then be extrapolated across Tamil Nadu and the southern States at least, if not all over India, he said.

DAN, commonly known as the silent killer, is a serious complication arising from diabetes and affects a 40-60 per cent of diabetic patients. It is mostly undetected in the early stages and is detected only after important organs, especially the heart, are affected. In such cases, the mortality rate is as high as 50 per cent.

The study will also pilot applications of ANSiscope developed by DyAnsys. The device seeks to fill the critical gap in accurate evaluation for DAN.

Since the 1930s, it was known that the heart rate variability was the only known indicator of activity in the autonomic nervous system that regulates bodily functions and the activity of specific organs. However, because the tests were time-consuming, not easily done, heart rate variability (HRV) testing is not widespread. The non-invasive ANSiscope equipment can measure the activity of both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system separately.

It is important to diagnose the condition early enough as it could take upwards of five years after the onset of DAN for the heart to be affected and for external symptoms to be noticeable. Early diagnosis also makes it possible to save the heart and let patients live fuller, healthier lives.

As a battery-operated, portable and affordable tool, the ANSiscope allows the GP to screen quickly and easily in a matter of 5-7 minutes. This helps to diagnose DAN very early, well before the organs are affected and could be important. The tool is expected to help the GP to start treatment early, especially in remote places where accessibility to specialist medical care is poor.

"The ANSiscope as a monitor for the autonomic nervous system is initially targeted at diabetic patients," said Dr. Srini.

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