24,000 unaware they are diabetic
An estimated 24,000 people nationwide could be unknowingly suffering from the condition, according to a study commissioned by VHI Healthcare.
Out of 30,000 participants, 10% had confirmed pre-diabetes and 1.8% had undiagnosed diabetes.
Almost 5,000 people (17%) had abnormal blood sugar. These were more likely to be older males; smokers; those with higher blood pressure; and those with abdominal obesity.
They were also less likely to exercise five days a week or eat fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.
The study found men are nearly three times more likely to have abnormal blood sugar levels and undiagnosed diabetes, while the risk of diabetes increases by 89% for every 5kg/m2 rise in body mass index.
“The results of our research suggest that the rate of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes is higher in Ireland than in similar European countries such as Britain and Holland,” said Bernadette Carr, medical director of VHI Healthcare and author of the report.
“These results provide valuable information for strategic healthcare planning and use of healthcare resources in Ireland. They also demonstrate how important it is for individuals to understand and manage their own health risks.”
Dr Carr said that, by making some “very simple lifestyle changes”, people can improve their health and, in the case of pre-diabetes, can even delay or prevent the onset of the condition.
“Diabetes is a lifestyle disease,” she said. “We didn’t have this problem 100 years ago. We’re eating too much junk food, takeaway food, taking in too many calories.
“Very simply, people should walk 30 minutes a day, eat a little bit of vegetables and fruits every day, stop smoking, and, most importantly, keep your weight within the normal limits.”
Anyone who is overweight, not exercising or eating healthily or has a relative with diabetes should consider getting screened for the disease.
“The complications of diabetes are extremely serious,” said Dr Carr. “It could cause blindness, kidney failure, clots in the legs. And there’s a huge cost to the health system so it’s an excellent disease to screen for because it benefits patients enormously if you catch it early,”
