Up to 200,000 ‘unaware they have diabetes’

UP TO 200,000 people in this country don’t know they have diabetes — a potentially fatal condition.

Deficits in diabetes care services and awareness mean thousands of people are not diagnosed with the condition, the Diabetes Federation of Ireland study has warned.

Early diagnosis can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and limb amputation.

The federation’s report on diabetes services in 2004, which will not be published until later this year, estimates there are more than 200,000 people in Ireland with diabetes and an equal number with the disease who have not yet been diagnosed.

A report in the Irish Medical News also says there are a further 250,000 people with lesser degrees of elevation in glucose levels that should be monitored.

The examination of services also reveals significant deficits which need to be addressed to ensure that people with diabetes have access to a quality healthcare service to effectively manage their condition.

In the Eastern Regional Health Authority region alone, there is a shortage of consultant diabetologists, diabetes nurse specialists, dieticians and podiatrists.

The report says that an additional 27 podiatrists are needed in the eastern region and a further 25 diabetes nurse specialists. Consultant in endocrinology and diabetes at Blanchardstown Hospital Dr Seamus Sreenan, called for a national strategy for diabetes.

In 2002, the Diabetes Federation issued a report to the Government detailing how diabetes healthcare should be restructured to deliver long-term savings in health costs and improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.

The comprehensive and continuous diabetes management which was advocated in that report had the potential to reduce blindness by 76%, amputation by 67%, cardiovascular disease by 20% and renal disease by 88%.

Manager of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland Kieran O’Leary described diabetes as a growing epidemic that needs funding for early detection to save lives and money later on caused by the disease’s complications.

“You can have diabetes for as long as 10 years without knowing it, but throughout that time it is causing major damage. If the services are in place to screen people early then their diabetes can be managed aggressively,” Mr O’Leary said.

Diabetes occurs when the sugar or glucose level in the blood is too high. There are two types of diabetes. Type one, or insulin dependent diabetes, usually occurs before the age of 35 and the person needs to inject insulin to regulate blood sugar levels to remain healthy.

Type two, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, usually occurs in adults after the age of 40 and is extremely common in old age. Type two can usually be controlled through weight loss and dietary regulation. Factors that increase the risk of developing diabetes include:

A family history of diabetes.

Being overweight (80% of people with diabetes are overweight).

Age (the likelihood of developing diabetes increases with age).

Lack of physical exercise.

Having had diabetes during pregnancy or having had a large baby of more than 9lbs.

The Diabetes Federation of Ireland’s helpline number is 1850 909 909.