Metropolis Healthcare Study Indicates Diabetics in India at risk of developing Diabetes related complications

by Shrutee K/DNS

Type 2 Diabetes is a major health problem in India and the prevalence has only been escalating in the past few decades. One of the most important tests for diabetics is the HbA1C test. The HbA1C test gives an indication of the average blood glucose levels for over a three month period. The higher the HbA1C test value, the greater risk for diabetics for chronic illnesses. A high HbA1C value also means that blood sugar levels have been high.

Ideal HbA1c value should be below 6.4%. For diabetics though, the number is generally greater than 6.5%. Diabetics should maintain HbA1c levels below 7 for optimal health and to lower risk of illnesses related to diabetics.

Improving HbA1c by 1% (or 11 mmol/mol) for people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes cuts the risk of microvascular complications by 25%.

Microvascular complications include:

Retinopathy

Neuropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease)

Research has also shown that people with type 2 diabetes who reduce their HbA1c level by 1% are: 

19% less likely to suffer cataracts

16% less likely to suffer heart failure

43% less likely to suffer amputation or death due to peripheral vascular disease

Elaborating on the study, Dr Kirti Chadha, Head of Laboratory Services, Metropolis Global Reference Laboratory said “It is important to increase awareness about the HbA1c test among diabetics. Inadequate blood glucose control which is reflected in elevated HbA1c  levels increases the risk of late diabetes complications such as diabetic eye and kidney disease.”

Metropolis study findings among diabetics

Row Labels	High Risk	Low Risk	Total	High Risk %	Low Risk %
F	92797	136825	229622	40.41	59.59
M	106835	118936	225771	47.32	52.68

Amongst females, 40% diabetics are under high risk of developing diabetes related complications and in males about 47%

Age wise pattern shows gradual increase in risk as there is a progression in age. About 50% of samples tested in 50-70 age group showed high risk of developing diabetes related complications

Row Labels	High Risk	Low Risk	Total	High Risk %	Low Risk %
20 to 30	10923	35233	46156	23.67	76.33
30 to 40	23114	52966	76080	30.38	69.62
40 to 50	38450	49519	87969	43.71	56.29
50 to 60	53783	47913	101696	52.89	47.11
60 to 70	47738	42755	90493	52.75	47.25
70 to 80	19340	19966	39306	49.20	50.80
Above 80	4227	5211	9438	44.79	55.21

Row Labels	% High Risk	% Low Risk
Delhi	36.18	63.82
Pune	41.85	58.15
Bangalore	42.82	57.18
Chennai	45.29	54.71
Kerala	49.76	50.24
Mumbai	51.93	48.07