Early detection is vital to prevent diabetes and complications

Abu Dhabi February 2010: More than 50 per cent of people living with diabetes have no idea that they have the condition and compulsory screening should be considered by health authorities, according to Karim Meeran, Professor of Endocrinology at Imperial College London.

Professor Meeran said that diabetes prevention is possible if the condition is detected early. “The biggest challenge that we face in the management of diabetes is the lack of individual knowledge. Indeed, it is a concern that more than half of patients living with diabetes, do not know.”

Professor Meeran mooted the idea of compulsory testing for diabetes as part of the routine health check.

“I would like to see the diabetes screening test become a compulsory test within the routine health check. The word compulsory may bring negative emotions. However, if the diabetes test was to become a staple, it may lead to increased instances of diabetes prevention. In time, the result could be a diabetes-free community,” he said.

Professor Meeran on how compulsory testing could help eradicate diabetes?

“The sooner that diabetes’ symptoms are recognised, the easier it is to prevent the on-set of full-blown diabetes, and related complications. Up to 58 per cent of diabetes cases could be prevented, if detected early.

“A simple, fasting blood test takes less than 30 minutes and will detect, among other signs, the level of fasting plasma glucose. By definition, diabetes is present if fasting plasma glucose is above 7.0 mm.

“‘Prevention is better than cure’ is a very well known phrase, and in patients living with diabetes, it has even more significance. During the early stages of diabetes, even though patients may not be aware of their condition, if detected the condition can be managed with a fair amount of ease.”

ICLDC’s Professor Meeran says glucose levels signal the presence of diabetes

“Diabetes is encouraged when an individual’s genes work in a way that brings an ineffective response to insulin. Insulin is responsible for pumping the daily calorie and glucose intake into muscle cells, so helping to keep the amount of glucose in the blood steam, down. In patients living with diabetes, this system does not work well, and the result is an excess of glucose in the blood stream. Generally, the more unbalanced the diet, the higher the blood glucose.

“A simple test for diabetes would determine its presence, or not. The advantage of a compulsory testing system is that patients who, perhaps subconsciously, play down the early symptoms when sharing information with their doctor, will be safe in the knowledge that the compulsory diabetes screening test may mean that early detection can result in prevention,” concluded Professor Meeran