Updated: Sunday November 17, 2013 MYT 9:31:06 AM
by dr chan siew pheng
Malaysians need to make the right decision to change in order to keep diabetes at bay.
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| Yes, yes, you may profess to know about diabetes, but are you taking steps to prevent or reduce its associated complications? – Filepic |
AWARENESS and education are key aspects to help us break down barriers, change, move forward, and ultimately help us live better lives. This could not be more needful for people living with diabetes.
Since knowing what to do may not always result in doing, we need to persevere and continually share insights so we can prompt change among people with diabetes, as well as those at risk.
Today, diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases around the globe. Data from various research show that this prevalence is rising with each passing year, affecting more and more people worldwide.
Based on the data we have, the prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia shows this same worrying trend. In 2006, 11.6% of the Malaysian adult population (those above 18 years old) have diabetes. Over the course of five years, this figure rose to 15.2% in 2011, affecting about 2.6 million people, or one in seven Malaysian adults. Additionally, 43% of Malaysians have abdominal obesity, which indicates high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
With these staggering statistics, I find myself asking: Why is this scenario prevalent in Malaysia?
How aware and knowledgeable are Malaysians when it comes to diabetes? Are we safeguarding our health? Why aren’t we doing something before it is too late?
The recent Novo Nordisk Diabetes Awareness Survey in Malaysia conducted by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk sheds light on these questions.
Through the recruitment of 1,012 men and women above 18 from all over Malaysia, this representative survey gives us the much-needed localised data to highlight the gap between knowledge and behaviour to combat the rising incidence of diabetes in Malaysia.
It certainly supports the trend that many of my colleagues and I observe in our clinical practice.
According to the survey, the average BMI of the population is 24 (considered as overweight), higher than that of our neighbours such as Indonesia and Vietnam, which have an average of 23 and 22 respectively. Yet, 72% believe their weight is just about right, or even too low, indicating that a majority of those at high risk of diabetes also may deny that their weight is too high!
These findings seem to show the lack of understanding or just denial among Malaysians of the actual state of their health; a cause for worry indeed.
I often ask my patients if they know what diabetes is. In general, many correctly identify its main symptoms and risk factors. They know that being overweight and living sedentary lifestyles increases the risk of developing diabetes.
Also, a majority are aware that the onset of diabetes can be delayed or prevented by practising healthier lifestyle habits, which include eating well and exercising regularly.
Surprisingly, despite this level of knowledge, it doesn’t translate into action to commit to healthy habits.
In the survey, diet and exercise are found to be low in priority, especially among those at high risk.
Fifty-seven percent of respondents at high risk do not observe 30 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis, while 17% of the general population (out of which 31% are at high risk) do not exercise at all, further increasing their risk of developing the condition.
A common question I am often asked is what are the possible complications of diabetes, even by people who have it.
In a similar vein, 87% of survey respondents with diabetes have not been informed on the possible complications. Fifty-eight percent of respondents agree that diabetes is a manageable condition, and therefore, do not believe it to be as serious as other conditions. This is potentially dangerous as less attention may be given to manage blood sugar levels, which would help avoid debilitating health consequences, including kidney failure, blindness, disability by amputation, and especially, cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke. At times, such complications can even lead to death.
Additionally, managing and treating diabetes is also incredibly expensive in the long term. A report published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine calculates it to be as costly as buying a house. This not only places the burden on the individual, but also on the national healthcare system, as increasingly more people with diabetes will require treatment for the condition, as well as related complications.
In Malaysia, 16% of the national healthcare budget in 2010 was allocated towards diabetes-related expenditure, listing it among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of percentage spent.
Tablets are the most popular way of treating diabetes. Many people are afraid to start injectable treatment, which may indicate why tablets are popular.
People need to know that timely use of insulin can be more effective in preventing or delaying painful complications. Furthermore, with technological advancements, insulin delivery devices such as insulin pens are now more convenient and discreet, and can be easily carried around.
The fine-point needles available have also made the procedure quite painless. So why not accept the little “ant bite”, as opposed to the “pain” of footing a staggering healthcare bill or the suffering from disease complications?
Combining these findings and my own clinical experience, I have come to this conclusion: Although the general population in Malaysia knows that diabetes is a prevalent problem, there is a gap between awareness and knowledge in translating into action and healthy behaviours. There is a critical need for healthcare professionals and individuals to aggressively address this phenomenon.
Fellow Malaysians, I encourage you to stand up and take charge of your health. Seek professional advice and healthcare information from proper channels. Be proactive in learning more about diabetes and how it can affect you. Get tested for diabetes especially if you have close family members with the condition, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol.
At the end of the day, your health is priceless.
With that, I pose this question to you: Will you learn from this and do something about it today? If I have caused you to sit up and take note, I would have played my part in helping you keep diabetes at bay.
Do the same for your loved one or friend. Don’t let them become a statistic!
*Dr Chan Siew Pheng is a consultant endocrinologist.
http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2013/11/17/Diabetes-lessons-Can-we-learn.aspx
