Abbott, one of India’s leading healthcare companies, along with the Association of Physicians of India (API), announced the results from a national survey known as ‘Abbott Sugar Survey’ which was conducted among 1,500 adults with uncontrolled diabetes, 302 care-givers and 60 doctors in India. The survey shows 9 out of 10 people with uncontrolled diabetes believe their blood sugar is actually under control
The ‘Abbott Sugar Survey’ was initiated with support from the Association of Physicians of India (API) and conducted by IPSOS healthcare research. The study was conducted across eight cities Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune and segmented respondents based on different factors, such as gender, occupation, type of diabetes and age.
The survey results showed that 90 per cent of people surveyed with uncontrolled diabetes in India continue to perceive that they have control over their glucose levels, despite facts suggesting otherwise.
The ‘Abbott Sugar Survey’ highlights the need for better diabetes management to help people with diabetes in India live healthier lives. More than 50 per cent people with diabetes mostly females believe that diabetes has impacted their personal life while males with diabetes believe the condition impacts professional life due to exhaustion and fatigue. Women are also more aware about the impact of diabetes than men.
The prevalence of diabetes in India is second largest in the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), India’s population of people living with diabetes today is 65.1 million, as compared to 50.8 million in 2010. That number is expected to cross 100 million by 2030. The economic burden due to diabetes in India is among the highest in the world and studies in India estimate that, for a low-income Indian family with an adult with diabetes, as much as 25 per cent of family income may be devoted to diabetes care.
Dr. Shashank R Joshi, a leading Endocrinologist and Diabetologist and President, Association of Physicians of India says, “With diabetes already at such epidemic proportions, it is time for people to start taking better control of their blood glucose levels. The biggest challenge is that people with diabetes do not have all the tools they need to be able to connect the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes with the impact on their bodies. While people with diabetes feel ‘all is well’, uncontrolled diabetes, leads to heart disease, or eye, kidney or nerve problems. Better awareness and effective control of diabetes can help prevent or reduce the risk of people with diabetes developing these complications and instead help them stay healthy and active.”
Dilip Rajan, Country Head and General Manager of Abbott's diabetes care business said, “Through this research, Abbott is seeking to advance understanding and increase awareness and support for better diabetes management in our country so that ultimately, we can help people with diabetes do more, achieve more and experience more in their lives."
Poor glycemic control, a factor that has been observed in the Indian population with diabetes puts them at increased risk of complications including neuropathy (nerve problems 24.6 per cent), cardiovascular complications (heart diseases 23.6 per cent), kidney problems (21.1 per cent), retinopathy (an eye problem at 16.6 per cent) and foot ulcers (5.5 per cent).
According to The US department of health and human services’ National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), the four steps to manage diabetes effectively are: following a healthy meal plan, exercising regularly, taking medicines regularly as advised and monitoring glucose levels.