Servier Research & Pharmaceuticals Pakistan in collaboration with National Institute of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) organized one-day Diabetes Awareness Symposium/Workshop recently at Arena Club, Karachi. The Symposium/Workshop was well attended by the participants including family physicians as well as trainee doctors.
Prof. Dr. M. Zaman Shaikh, Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, (DUHS) was the main facilitator of the Symposium/Workshop. He highlighted various clinical aspects which are important in the management of diabetes.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Zaman said that as per recent estimates, diabetes affects about 285 million people worldwide and the figure is expected to reach more than 340 million by 2030. The situation in Pakistan is also getting worse.
According to International Diabetes Federation, we have a diabetes prevalence of about 7.1% and it is estimated that if steps 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 added.
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.
He highlighted common complications of diabetes like neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiac complications and the possible treatment options were also described.
He also said that associated abnormalities should always be looked for in diabetic patients and therefore routine investigations are mandatory in all cases.
Dr. Rommana Fasih, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, National Institute of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) discussed various questions regarding the diabetes awareness.
Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, Head of Internal Medicine, Servier Research & Pharmaceuticals Pakistan spoke on the new results of ADVANCE trial and the launch of Diamicron 60mg in Pakistan. ADVANCE trial is the largest ever trial in type 2 diabetic patients with more than 11,000 patients from 20 countries worldwide. ADVANCE trial confirm the benefits of tight blood glucose control and reduction of cardio-vascular complications from Diamicron MR 60mg based therapy in type 2 diabetic patients. In ADVANCE trial Diamicron MR showed better outcome than others.
He said that Diabetes is the leading cause of Kidney diseases. It is increasing in our country day by day and younger populations are more vulnerable to it. According to WHO, Diabetes will become a major health in future.
Diamicron 60mg is the latest breakthrough in type 2 diabetes as it is the first breakable Modified Release formulation in the field of diabetes. Diamicron 60mg provide Rapid, powerful and convenient blood glucose control. It has a reversible binding to pancreatic receptor therefore causes least hypoglycemia. Its antioxidant benefits reduce the risk of vascular complications as seen in ADVANCE trial. Today, Diamicron MR is marketed in 112 countries worldwide.
Earlier, the workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. M. Zaman and certificate distributed amongst all the participants.