Even as it is project that India would be the diabetes capital in the years to come, a study undertaken by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and M.V. Diabetes Speciality Centre shows that while 16 per cent of Chennaiites have diabetes, a sizeable chunk ( 25 per cent) of the city residents do not even know that such a condition existed.

The study -Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES) - undertaken by the hospital with funding by Chennai Willingdon Corporate Foundation, has thrown up statistics that sends out a clear signal to the Chennaiites. Disclosing the statistics, Dr. V. Mohan, Managing Director, M. V. Diabetes Specialities Centre said 16 per cent of the residents in the city above 20 years of age were affected by diabetes while 23 per cent of the population had high blood pressure (hypertension). The first phase of the study encompassed 26,001 respondents spread over 48 wards in Chennai.

The study also revealed that a higher socio economic status is associated with increased prevalence of both diabetes and hypertension in the urban population, which is in contrast to the situation in developed countries. Significantly, nearly half of the people surveyed were not aware of the presence of either diabetes or hypertension.

Also, the study revealed that with increase in obesity and abdominal obesity there was sharp rise of both diabetes and hypertension among the population surveyed. Importantly, it was also learnt, 95 per cent of Chennai's population had no physical activity of exercise. The situation was better among known diabetics, with 7.5 per cent of them exercising to keep it under control. Among the diabetics, only 56 per cent were on anti-diabetic drugs and only 20 per cent had their diabetes under control, Dr. Mohan pointed out. As per the study, depression was more common among diabetics at 23.5 per cent while 15.8 per cent of non-diabetics had depression.

"This is the first time that a study had been taken up on such a large scale," Dr. Mohan said of CURES. As a follow-up, retinal photography is being performed on all diabetics in the survey to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. Further he pointed out that CURES would also obtain valuable data on the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease, diabetic neuropathy, heart attacks and strokes.

The CURES project was supported by the Rs.50 lakh grant provided by Chennai Willingdon Corporate Foundation, a non profit organisation comprising 54 corporate bodies. The rural component of CURES has also commenced. This is being taken up in villages situated 40-50 kms away from Chennai and this is expected to be completed within a year.