SKY Hospital conducts free Diabetes and Hypertension detection camp

Dr Lairikyengbam Shyamkishore *

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes occurs when the level of glucose in the blood becomes higher than normal. There are two main types of diabetes - type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas in the body stop making insulin. Type 2 diabetes is when your body still makes insulin but not adequately enough or your body is not using insulin properly.

There are criteria from American, European, British and World Health Organisation (WHO) authorities for detection of diabetes. For the convenience of screening in this medical camp held by SKY Hospital used the criteria of International Committee composed of American Diabetes Association, European Association of Study of Diabetes and International Diabetic Federation.

The criteria for determining someone with diabetes is of someone who has:
o A random glucose test of greater than 200 mg/dl of blood

IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE?

When your blood glucose is raised beyond the normal range but is not so high that you have diabetes. However, if you have impaired glucose tolerance you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, some people call impaired glucose tolerance pre-diabetes.

Approximately 35% of people with impaired glucose tolerance will develop diabetes within ten years.

It is also thought that having impaired glucose tolerance increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (that is, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke). In comparisonto the general population, people who have impaired glucose tolerance are more likely to have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels.

The International Committee criteria for determining someone with impaired glucose tolerance is of someone who has
o A random glucose testin the range 140-199 mg/dl of blood

WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is when the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated requiring the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels.

High blood pressure is a blood pressure that is 140/90 mm Hg or above using the criteria recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, (NICE, UK).High blood pressure is a risk factor that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other serious conditions. In general the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk. Treatment includes a change in lifestyle risk factors where these can be improved - losing weight if you are overweight, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, cutting back if you drink a lot of alcohol, stopping smoking and a low salt and caffeine intake. If needed, medication can lower blood pressure.

FREE 10-DAY DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION DETECTION CAMP

During Sangai Festival, 2013 Celebration, SKY Group of Hospitals, Manipur conducted a 10 days long Free Diabetes and Hypertension Detection Camp at Hapta – Kangjeibung, Premier Stall No 50 from 21stNovember to 30thNovember 2013. Diabetes and Hypertension were targeted because these are two common silent killers and common causes of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure etc. Criteria of International Committee (2009) composed by American Diabetes Association, European Association of Study of Diabetes and International Diabetes Federation for screening – detection of diabetes and National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), U.K. for hypertension was used.

The data collected are as follows:
A. Diabetes Detection Camp :
1. Total number of people seen: 457 (100%).
2. People without diabetes: 311 (68%).
3. People with diabetes: 50 (11%).
4. People with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) or Pre - Diabetes stage (in whom the blood sugar is raised but has not reached the level for diagnosis of diabetes): 96 (21%).
(35% of people in the pre-diabetes stage (IGT) will develop diabetes within 10 years)
5. Male: Female ratio = 3:1 ratio meaning there are 3 male patients screened for diabetes for every female.
6. Age range: 10-90 years
Diabetes Screening Numbers - Percentage Normal
311 - 68%
Impaired Glucose Tolerance
96 - 21%
Diabetic
50 - 11%
TOTAL 457 100%

It may be recalled that Diabetes has been affecting India in epidemic form. In fact India is known as “Capital of Diabetes”. More than 30 million of people are affected with diabetes and many more are in pre – diabetic stage. The prevalence of the disease in India is 9 % in urban area and 3 % in rural area (Diabetes Co. UK.). However, in some pockets of India its prevalence was 20 % in urban and 11% in rural areas of Ludhiana as per Times of India, Chandigarh publication on 19 May 2013. It is expected that the disease prevalence will become double by 2030.

The data from this camp representing people of urban and rural areas of Manipur may be interpreted as showing higher prevalence of diabetes in Manipur than average Indian population.

As the treatment of diabetes is costly and can consume as much as 25 % of total family income of poor patients (WHO studies in India) emphasis should therefore be given to prevent it at the “pre- diabetes” or IGT stage with reduction in sugar and sweet intake, weight reduction if obese and regular exercise.

B. Hypertension Detection Camp:
1. Total number of people seen: 514 (100%).
2. Normal Blood pressure: 447(87%).
3. People with hypertension (HighB.P):
67 (13%).
Hypertension Screening Numbers - Percentage Normal
447 - 87%
Hypertension 67 - 13%
TOTAL - 514 - 100%

CONCLUSION

From this camp the largest of its kind in Manipur, the message to the people is that diabetes is affecting people of Manipur in epidemic proportions more than that in mainland India and the rest of the world. It is a major cause of disabilities and death mostly due to heart related diseases. Its treatment may be costly. Early detection of pre-diabetes (IGT) and diabetes can help prevent the development of diabetes and complications from the disease.

Hypertension is also considered as a major silent killer. Such screening health camps can detect the disease in the community. Early management advice will help prevent heart, cerebral (brain), or other organ related complications and death.

SKY Group of Hospitals, Manipur will continue to conduct such meaningful health camps in all districts of Manipur on a regular basis.