The next diabetes prevalence survey will be more comprehensive with the inclusion of expatriates as well to identify the exact prevalence rate among the total population of the country, a top official of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) revealed yesterday.
Earlier this month, Gulf Times had reported that Qatar will conduct a new diabetes prevalence survey in 2017.
“Last Stepwise survey for diabetes was conducted among the nationals alone in 2012,” recalled Prof Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, chairman, Department of Internal Medicine, HMC.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Arab Diabetes Medical Congress which opened yesterday, he pointed out that the last survey identified the prevalence rate of diabetes in Qatar as about 16.7%.
“However our present estimate is that it is between 18 to 20%. The new survey will give us the exact data as it is far more comprehensive than the previous one.”
According to the official, the fight against diabetes is not easy in the Gulf region for various reasons. “The prevalence of diabetes in the region is twice the size of other regions or countries in the world. Globally, diabetes prevalence is 8 to 10% but in Qatar and other Gulf countries it is between 17 and 25% or sometimes even more. It is more than twice the global rate,” he explained.
“The main reason for such a state is the increased wealth and the people have been leading a better way of living. This has led to reduced or lesser physical activity. They have better access to more cars and other facilities. Food which is richer in energy, is also another reason leading to obesity among people,” he said.
Prof Abou-Samra noted that lifestyle issues are a major challenge in tackling diabetes. Unhealthy food habits and physical inactivity are the major problems. To work this out, we require more education among the people. Qatar is working very intensely on these counts, which is bearing fruits.”
The official pointed out that the genes have a major role in diabetes prevalence. “However, a new study shows that healthy lifestyle can reverse the gene risk,” he said.
The physician stated that diabetes is the chief cause for more than 50% of blindness cases around the world. This year’s theme for diabetes awareness is “Keep the Eyes Open”, which relates not just to the blindness issue but to be aware of the implications and consequences of the disease and act on it.
The official also maintained that several new drugs have come up in the treatment of diabetes. To prevent the complications of diabetes or to avoid going to dialysis and other processes, there are multiple medications available now.
“We use multiple medications based on the patient’s age and other factors. Some of them are oral and others are injections. Some new medications are more effective in reducing the risk of death due to diabetes,” he added.