Diabetic patients: Kerala tops list of Indian states

KOCHI: Kerala has the largest number of diabetes patients followed by Tamil Nadu and Punjab, according to endocrinologists and diabetologists in the state.
While 19.4% people have diabetes in Kerala, the corresponding figures in Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu are 13.6% and 10% respectively, according to analysis of separate studies done by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram and Indian Council of Medical Research.
A recent ICMR study in fifteen states had found a mean prevalence of 7.3 per cent. Though diabetes was more common in urban areas, it was seen that in seven states with relatively higher economic status the disease was affecting the lower socioeconomic group. This is in contrast to the situation which prevailed earlier. However, Kerala was not part of the study.
But a recently concluded study on 12,000 adults in Kerala by Sri Chitra showed that one in five adults had diabetes. Nearly six per cent people with diabetes could have the diseases under control. In Kerala, there is a high burden of pre-diabetes also which in addition to leading to diabetes also increases the risk for heart disease. In the age group of 45 to 69 years nearly two third (67.7%) had either diabetes or pre-diabetes.
“Diabetes is much higher in Kerala than in other states with prevalence of 19.4%. Also we have seen that there is no urban-rural divide when it comes to diabetes in the state. If we don’t act on this serious problem, then we are heading towards big trouble,” said Dr KR Thankappan, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, author of a study on the "Pattern, correlates and implications of non-communicable disease multimorbidity among older adults in selected Indian states: a cross-sectional study".
The doctors are concerned that though diabetes can be successfully managed and complications prevented, especially when detected early, this is not happening in Kerala. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be diminished markedly through lifestyle changes—improving diet and physical exercise. Diabetes accounts for huge mortality and severe complications including loss of vision (due to retinopathy), kidney failure, nerve damage and heart attack.
“The largest impediment against the prevention of diabetes is the attitude of people. Healthy lifestyle can prevent diabetes in up to 70% population. The state has to ensure community participation, build infrastructure and bring in due legislation that helps in the fight against diabetes,” said Dr Sreejith N Kumar, diabetologist, Thiruvananthapuram.
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