The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Diabetes is not a disease just of the rich, says expert

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 16, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Diabetes is not a disease just of the rich, says expert

Chitra V. Ramani

Serge Resnikoff. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Bangalore: There are 1.5 million blind people in the country and diabetic retinopathy, which has a 22 to 26 per cent incidence in diabetics, is the sixth major cause of blindness.

Experts predict that by 2020, diabetic retinopathy would have become a pandemic.

It was in this context that the Karnataka Ophthalmological Society invited Serge Resnikoff, coordinator, World Health Organisation, to speak on the condition.

Loss

"In a 10-year period (2005-2015), India is likely to suffer a $ 200 billion loss. The increase in the incidence of diabetes has huge economic implications," Dr. Resnikoff told The Hindu on Wednesday.

India is one of the countries with a very high expected increase in the incidence of diabetes.

In 2000, over 30 million people in the country were diagnosed with the condition and the number is likely to touch 80 million by 2030. While on the one hand socio-economic development was on the rise, the incidence of diabetes was also increasing.

Lifestyle changes

"With drastic changes in lifestyle and diet and decreasing levels of physical activity, the risk factors responsible for diabetes are increasing," he added.

Type II diabetes was more common in terms of incidence.

Overweight/obesity was a key factor. However, diabetes could be managed by maintaining an appropriate diet, regular physical exercise and medical treatment. Diabetes could affect the eyes, feet and cause renal failure and cardiovascular disease. "Though diabetes is a disease in itself, it is a risk factor for other chronic ailments too," he said.

Patients with diabetes should regularly get their eyes checked, at least every year, as the incidence of eye complications increased with time. "In most cases, laser treatment is the solution. Many patients go blind because they do not get their eyes checked regularly," he said.

Along with eye examination, diabetics should also take tests to check the blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid level.

Dr. Resnikoff said that there were a lot of misconceptions surrounding the disease.

"Many think that diabetes is a disease of the rich. It is not the case; poor people are affected the most as they do not have access to quality healthcare. The rich usually have a healthier lifestyle. This is true at the global level too, not just the Indian context."

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