<p>Two decades ago, as the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organisation came together to observe World Diabetes Day (WDD-Nov 14) in response to growing concerns about the health threats posed by diabetes, none of us would have imagined, that India will soon become the diabetes capital of the world. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Results indicate that in India, deaths due to diabetes have increased by 50% between 2005 and 2015 and diabetes is the seventh most common cause of death in the country. With as many as 50 million people suffering from type 2 diabetes (diabetes mellitus), India has more people living with the disease than any other country. <br /><br />If left untreated, it can result in health complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney disorders, neuropathy or nerve da-mage leading to leg amputation and even blindness. This is also adding stress to Indian healthcare system and economy.<br /><br />It is significant to note that recognising the importance of early screening and regular monitoring of type 2 diabetes, resulting in a better management of the disease, the International Federation of Diabetes declared “eyes on diabetes” as the central theme of WDD 2016. Across the world, one in two with diabetes cases is undiagnosed. However, studies indicate that up to 70% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles. <br /><br />Keeping in mind the urgent need to develop technologies which can enhance early diagnosis of diabetes, many healthcare technology companies have come to the forefront to provide low-cost, portable, point-of-care devices to the Indian masses. <br /><br />The strategic intent is to initially deliver these services in major hospitals and gradually expand its reach to the common man by equipping the primary healthcare centres and neighbourhood clinics in the rural pockets with the state-of-the-art technology. <br /><br />Innovative laboratory equipment which can provide accurate and fast reports to detect and monitor diabetes if made more accessible to the common man can help clinicians to classify the medical conditions of a patient into separate and distinct categories. This will accelerate the process of deciding the treatment and prognosis. <br /><br />One of these instruments currently brought into the market by leading medical device manufacturers is, advanced clinical electrophoresis analyser – a device which processes large portions of samples such as blood, serum, plasma, and urine. <br /><br />A highly proficient instrument which can be used in all types of laboratories, from small point-of-care clinics to high-throughput clinical labs, it can efficiently detect and monitor diabetes. Laboratories are also equipped with comprehensive test menus for diabetes, pancreatitis, cardiac, renal panel etc. <br /><br />Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present. However, such innovative lab instruments can help in premature diagnosis and effective monitoring of several medical complications.<br /><br />Blood sugar levels<br /><br />One of the latest diagnostic diabetes tools most nations have gradually started adopting as a supplement to the existing blood glucose test is HbA1c whi-ch is measured primarily to ide-ntify the three-month average plasma glucose concentration. <br /><br />HbA1c develops when haemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body, joins with glucose in the blood, becoming ‘glycated.’ By measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), clinicians are able to get an overall picture of what the average blood sugar levels have been over a period of weeks/months. <br /><br />For people with diabetes, this is important as the higher the HbA1c, the greater the risk of developing diabetes-related complications. Industry has come up with up-to-the minute technology for a fast and optimal HbA1c measurement, for instance the Capillarys 2 Flex-piercing instrument. <br /><br />The HbA1c test is currently one of the best ways to see if diabetes is under control. It is not affected by short-term fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations, say, due to meals; blood can be drawn for HbA1c testing without regard to when food was eaten. Fasting for the blood test is not necessary. <br /><br />An important part of managing diabetes as well as one’s overall health is maintaining a healthy weight through a healthy diet and indulging in good physical activities. Patient resistance and reluctance to admit diabetes can affect anybody irrespective of age or gender lead to a constant delay in receiving timely diagnosis of diabetes. However, with the right use of the latest technology, diabetes can be tackled much better with appropriate screening and early initiation of treatment. <br /><br /><em>(The writer is Senior Vice President, Trivitron Healthcare)</em></p>
<p>Two decades ago, as the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organisation came together to observe World Diabetes Day (WDD-Nov 14) in response to growing concerns about the health threats posed by diabetes, none of us would have imagined, that India will soon become the diabetes capital of the world. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Results indicate that in India, deaths due to diabetes have increased by 50% between 2005 and 2015 and diabetes is the seventh most common cause of death in the country. With as many as 50 million people suffering from type 2 diabetes (diabetes mellitus), India has more people living with the disease than any other country. <br /><br />If left untreated, it can result in health complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney disorders, neuropathy or nerve da-mage leading to leg amputation and even blindness. This is also adding stress to Indian healthcare system and economy.<br /><br />It is significant to note that recognising the importance of early screening and regular monitoring of type 2 diabetes, resulting in a better management of the disease, the International Federation of Diabetes declared “eyes on diabetes” as the central theme of WDD 2016. Across the world, one in two with diabetes cases is undiagnosed. However, studies indicate that up to 70% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles. <br /><br />Keeping in mind the urgent need to develop technologies which can enhance early diagnosis of diabetes, many healthcare technology companies have come to the forefront to provide low-cost, portable, point-of-care devices to the Indian masses. <br /><br />The strategic intent is to initially deliver these services in major hospitals and gradually expand its reach to the common man by equipping the primary healthcare centres and neighbourhood clinics in the rural pockets with the state-of-the-art technology. <br /><br />Innovative laboratory equipment which can provide accurate and fast reports to detect and monitor diabetes if made more accessible to the common man can help clinicians to classify the medical conditions of a patient into separate and distinct categories. This will accelerate the process of deciding the treatment and prognosis. <br /><br />One of these instruments currently brought into the market by leading medical device manufacturers is, advanced clinical electrophoresis analyser – a device which processes large portions of samples such as blood, serum, plasma, and urine. <br /><br />A highly proficient instrument which can be used in all types of laboratories, from small point-of-care clinics to high-throughput clinical labs, it can efficiently detect and monitor diabetes. Laboratories are also equipped with comprehensive test menus for diabetes, pancreatitis, cardiac, renal panel etc. <br /><br />Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present. However, such innovative lab instruments can help in premature diagnosis and effective monitoring of several medical complications.<br /><br />Blood sugar levels<br /><br />One of the latest diagnostic diabetes tools most nations have gradually started adopting as a supplement to the existing blood glucose test is HbA1c whi-ch is measured primarily to ide-ntify the three-month average plasma glucose concentration. <br /><br />HbA1c develops when haemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body, joins with glucose in the blood, becoming ‘glycated.’ By measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), clinicians are able to get an overall picture of what the average blood sugar levels have been over a period of weeks/months. <br /><br />For people with diabetes, this is important as the higher the HbA1c, the greater the risk of developing diabetes-related complications. Industry has come up with up-to-the minute technology for a fast and optimal HbA1c measurement, for instance the Capillarys 2 Flex-piercing instrument. <br /><br />The HbA1c test is currently one of the best ways to see if diabetes is under control. It is not affected by short-term fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations, say, due to meals; blood can be drawn for HbA1c testing without regard to when food was eaten. Fasting for the blood test is not necessary. <br /><br />An important part of managing diabetes as well as one’s overall health is maintaining a healthy weight through a healthy diet and indulging in good physical activities. Patient resistance and reluctance to admit diabetes can affect anybody irrespective of age or gender lead to a constant delay in receiving timely diagnosis of diabetes. However, with the right use of the latest technology, diabetes can be tackled much better with appropriate screening and early initiation of treatment. <br /><br /><em>(The writer is Senior Vice President, Trivitron Healthcare)</em></p>
