Diabetes Mellitus in India: The Modern Scourge

Abstract

India has a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the numbers are increasing at an alarming rate. In India alone, diabetes is expected to increase from 40.6 million in 2006 to 79.4 million by 2030. Studies have shown that the prevalence of diabetes in urban Indian adults is about 12.1%, the onset of which is about a decade earlier than their western counterparts and the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is 4-6 times higher in urban than in rural areas. The risk factors peculiar for developing diabetes among Indians include high familial aggregation, central obesity, insulin resistance and life style changes due to urbanization. Screening for gestational diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance among pregnant women provides a scope for primary prevention of the disease in mothers as well as in their children. The problems of obesity and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (important predisposing factors) are not confined to adults alone but children are also increasingly getting affected. Most long standing macro and micro vascular complications are also more common among Indian diabetics as compared to other races and ethnic groups. A strong familial clustering of diabetic nephropathy among Indian Type 2 diabetics has also been noted. Clustering of cardiovascular risk factor like Syndrome X is common among urban Indians. The rising incidence of diabetes and its complications are going to pose a grave health care burden on our country. Timely effective interventions/measures and screening tests for complications at the time of diagnosis becomes imperative not only for early detection, but also to prevent progression to end stage disease. Screening for gestational diabetes among pregnant women would also go a long way in primary prevention of the disease. Life style changes/interventions and drugs like rosiglitazone are the current strategies that can prevent and/or delay the onset of diabetes. Simple interventional strategies like "Eat less, Eat on time and Walk more" can go a long way in preventing these chronic disorders among present as well as in the future generations. MJAFI 2009; 65 : 50-54

Pattern of Antidiabetic Drugs used in Outpatient and Hospitalized Patients in a Tertiary Health Institute of Central India

“…[8] In India onset of diabetes is about a decade earlier than their western counterparts. [9] Drug utilization studies can provide useful insight into the prescribing patterns and patient medication taking behavior. [10] Hence present project was designed to study pattern of antidiabetic drug use in out patients and hospitalized patients of tertiary health institute of central India.…”

Social factors influencing diabetes mellitus in adults attending a tertiary care hospital in Nagpur: a cross sectional study

“…4 The onset of diabetes among Indians occurs a decade earlier than compared to the western world. 5,6 Improved health care, early detection, and timely treatment is another effective approach for reducing impact of diabetes. Access to adequate health care plays an even stronger role in controlling diabetes, preventing the development of complications, and avoiding diabetes-related mortality.…”

A comparative study of lipid profile, body mass index, and waist circumference among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with poor and good metabolic control and normal age-matched control group

“…The dramatic rise in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and the related disorders such as dyslipidemia, obesity, and hypertension could be related to rapid changes in lifestyle that has occurred during the past 50 years. [2] Prevalence of dyslipidemia is very common in Type 2 DM, and lipid abnormalities are likely to play an important role in the development of the atherosclerotic vascular disease. The National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 240 2018 | Vol 8 | Issue 2 most frequent abnormalities seen are hypertriglyceridemia with or without hypercholesterolemia and decreased highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) concentration.…”