Healthcare Practitioners' Perspective of Prevailing Awareness on Diabetes Complications: A Questionnaire-Based Pan-India Study.

The increasing prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the associated long-term complications warrant a need to improve awareness of DM-related complications in the Indian population. Our questionnaire-based pan-India study (April 2021-March 2022) aims to capture the observations of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) on the prevailing level of knowledge and awareness regarding diabetes among their patients. We refer to this as the 90:90:90 program. It aims to achieve 90% awareness, 90% screening and detection of diabetes and prediabetes, and 90% achievement of effective treatment and control. A structured questionnaire was circulated to 1800 HCPs using Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA) and Zoom poll questions (Zoom Video Communications, Inc., San Jose, CA) during 125 symposiums. About half (48.6%) of the HCPs observe that less than 40% of their patients are aware of the risk factors of diabetes, and less than 60% of the patients were aware of its cardiovascular complications. About 92-95% of the HCPs recommend screening for diabetes in adults over 30 years of age and suggest the inclusion of a blood glucose estimate as a fifth vital to be tested during doctor visits. Less than 40% of patients fail to achieve the treatment goal, possibly due to lack of adherence, access to medicines, and financial constraints. Therefore, spreading awareness of DM complications and early screening for DM among adults (>30 years) could help achieve better management and treatment outcomes.

Obesity in Asia--is it different from rest of the world.

An epidemic of obesity and obesity related diseases such as diabetes and cardio vascular disease (CVD) is prevalent in many Asian countries. Migration from rural to urban areas, and rapid socio-economic transition are associated with the lifestyle changes resulting in decreased levels of physical activity and increased intake of energy dense diet.

Efficacy of primary prevention interventions when fasting and postglucose dysglycemia coexist: analysis of the Indian Diabetes Prevention Programmes (IDPP-1 and IDPP-2).

OBJECTIVE: Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) have different pathophysiological abnormalities, and their combination may influence the effectiveness of the primary prevention tools. The hypothesis was tested in this analysis, which was done in a pooled sample of two Indian Diabetes Prevention Programmes (IDPP-1 and IDPP-2). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Researchers analyzed and followed up on the details of 845 of the 869 IGT subjects in the two studies for 3 years. Incidence of diabetes and reversal to normoglycemia (normal glucose tolerance [NGT]) were assessed in group 1 with baseline isolated IGT (iIGT) (n = 667) and in group 2 with IGT + IFG (n = 178). The proportion developing diabetes in the groups were analyzed in the control arm with standard advice (IDPP-1) (n = 125), lifestyle modification (LSM) (297 from both), metformin (n = 125, IDPP-1), and LSM + metformin (n = 121, IDPP-1) and LSM + pioglitazone (n = 298, IDPP-2). Cox regression analysis was used to assess the influence of IGT + IFG versus iIGT on the effectiveness of the interventions. RESULTS: Group 2 had a higher proportion developing diabetes in 3 years (56.2 vs. 33.6% in group 1, P = 0.000) and a lower rate of reversal to NGT (18 vs. 32.1%, P = 0.000). Cox regression analysis showed that effectiveness of intervention was not different in the presence of fasting and postglucose glycemia after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of primary prevention strategies appears to be similar in subjects with iIGT or with combined IGT + IFG. However, the possibility remains that a larger study might show that the effectiveness is lower in those with the combined abnormality.

Role of industries in the care of diabetic foot.

Diabetic foot disease is a dreaded complication causing severe economic and social burden, mental and physical agony, and severe morbidity and mortality. This complication is largely preventable if the risk factors such as peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease are detected early and appropriate measures are taken to control glycemia, foot pressure, and chances of foot injury. In the case of ulceration, proper microbial control, pressure offloading by debridement, and use of appropriate footwear are mandatory to save the foot. This article focuses on the need for preventive care for diabetic complications demonstrating potentially helpful roles for industry in India.