As per recent estimates, diabetes affects about 285 million people worldwide and the figure is expected to reach 438 million by 2030 said Prof M. Zaman Shaikh, Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE), Dow University of Health Sciences at a One day Seminar on “C.V. Diseases in Type-2 Diabetes” held today at National Institute of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Ojha Campus, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Prof. Dr. Umer Farooq, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences was the Chief Guest on this occasion.
Prof M. Zaman Shaikh highlighted various clinical aspects which are important in the management of diabetes. He said that the situation in Pakistan, as he mentioned is also getting worse and according to International Diabetes Federation, we have a diabetes prevalence of about 7.1% and it is estimated that if steps are not taken than Pakistan will become the 4th leading country in the world by 2030 in terms of having the number of people with diabetes.
It is also a fact that diabetes is responsible for deaths of about 36000 males and 53000 females per annum in our country. He stressed on identifying the variable clinical presentations of the disease and the correct biochemical values of diagnosis and discussed the management guidelines as described by the International Diabetes Federation. Mentioning new guidelines he said that oral hypoglycemic agents have now been approved with some reservations for use in pregnancy as well. The case studies were also presented and they were followed by interactive discussion. The common complications of diabetes like neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiac complications etc were highlighted and the possible treatment options were described.
He also said that associated abnormalities should always be looked for in diabetic patients and therefore routine investigations are mandatory in all cases. He discussed important land mark international studies on diabetes, such as UKPDS, DCCT, ACCORD and ADVANCE, and emphasized that blood sugar should be meticulously controlled, i.e., Fasting Blood Sugar should be less than 110 mg/dl, Random Blood Sugar should be less than 140 mg/dl and Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) , which tells us about average blood sugar of past 3 months should be less than 6.5%.
Dr. Rommana Fasih and Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim also spoke on this occasion. The Seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Fareh Naz Faoque and certificate distribution amongst all the participants.