50% Indians unaware about linking of diabetes with heart ailment

By Vikas Vaidya

A study conducted Lifespan D-MYTH 2014, to map people’s perceptions along with behaviour-related outcomes of diabetes management, revealed that a whopping 50% of diabetics in the country are at risk of developing heart diseases, 63% are at risk of getting microvascular complications and many have an enhanced risk of developing eye problems, especially retinopathy. The study brings to light poor diabetes management amongst Indians which it links to ignorance and to the prevalence of myths.
The unique diabetes myths and truths highlighter (Lifespan D-MYTH 2014) study, conducted by LIFESPAN, a thought leader in the management of diabetes and cardiometabolic disorders, made several disconcerting revelations regarding people’s perceptions about the disease, their practices and its effects in terms of mortality and morbidity. The Lifespan D-MYTH 2014 study was conducted among 5065 Indians in 16 cities on a one-to-one basis, and the data collected was compared with cumulative data from 10,074 patients who visited Lifespan.
The study conducted by Lifespan also revealed that while 63% diabetics in India are at risk of developing microvascular complications, which may in turn lead to eye problems, while 36% Indians are completely unaware that diabetes is even linked with eye problems. Further, the study showed that while 60% of diabetics in the country suffer from autonomic nervous system dysfunction, 38% Indians are clueless that diabetes can affect their sexual life.
“The study’s findings are unique in terms of the insights it provides on people’s perceptions about diabetes and its effects on morbidity and mortality. Considering the huge burden of diabetes on the country, the findings should help us lay out a roadmap to ensure its prevention and management”, said Mr. Ashok Jain, Group MD and CEO, Lifespan Wellness Pvt. Ltd, who has been living with diabetes for the last 19 years, and whose struggle with it inspired him to set up the clinic chain to help and support people like himself.
The cumulative data from the 10,074 patients who visited all 25 clinics of Lifespan nationwide, brought to light the huge disparity between males and females in terms of diabetes treatment, with just 27% of the women in the country getting appropriate diabetes treatment as compared to 73% men.
Among Income Groups, the slightly more affluent were more aware. But according to Lifespan Patient Data, these were the people who took least precautions and care. Among the Middle Class the myths were more pronounced and people from the lower middle class were also not too aware.
 “The result, which is a combination of behaviour, perception and facts, will not just help stakeholders to understand and control co-morbid conditions in diabetes, but can also help in policy making in terms of its management and prevention. I believe it is high time to formulate and implement some kind of robust diabetes education and counselling module in the country, wherein effective diabetes management can be ensured,” says Dr Shailesh Pitale, noted Endocrinologist.