Over 25 percent of Chennaiites likely to have higher blood sugar levels: Study

The study, conducted by Metropolis Healthcare, tested blood samples for HbA1c to test for type 1 and type 2 diabetes over the last five years in Chennai. The incidence of poorly controlled diabetes was found to be the highest in the age group of 50-60 years which was about 30 per cent, followed by 60-70 years that was 29 per cent and 24.89 percent diabetics had poorly controlled diabetes among the age group of 40-50 years. The incidence was the lowest of about 7 per cent in the age group of 20-30 years but increased steadily to a spike in the age group of 50-60 years.

Out of the total samples, there were about 51 per cent of them who were either in pre-diabetic stage or were found to be suffering from diabetes. Meanwhile, the incidence of poorly controlled diabetes was higher in men against women, with 23.72 per cent of women testing for poorly controlled diabetes, compared to 26 per cent fof men.

Prolonged high blood glucose levels put diabetic patients under risk to develop diabetes-related complications. The incidence of poor control of diabetes has increased over the years, especially in urban areas, say medicos.

“If diabetes is not controlled, it can affect several systems of the body and cause infections, wounds that don’t heal and damage other organs. Blood vessels can get affected due to diabetes and lead to blindness, kidney failure, nerve issues, and coronary diseases. But, it can be easily controlled by regular medications, physical activities and controlled diet,” said Dr V Mohan, founder of Dr Mohan’sDiabetes Clinic.