Glucose levels alarmingly high among Chennaiites, shows study

The Diabetes Care Index analysed the blood sugar levels of about 1,000 patients of an average age of 53 years, out of which 53 per cent were men and the rest women. As per the Index, the average HbA1c level decreased to 8 from 8.52 as compared to the preceding quarter. The average ‘post-meal’ glucose level is high at 251.51 mg/dL in the city, making patients living with diabetes more vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases, warned doctors.

“Blood glucose levels tend to rise after a meal mainly because of high carbohydrate content in the diet. Typically, people in Chennai consume two to three large, carbohydrate-rich meals in a day and high post-meal glucose level has a direct linkage to increase in cardiovascular diseases,” said Dr A Shanmugam, diabetologist, Chendur Diabetes Centre, Chennai.

Contrary to treatment patterns in the West, in India we need to focus on addressing both fasting and post-meal glucose levels across all HbA1c levels. “This can be done through a combination of right diet, exercise and appropriate treatment,” he added.

The report stated that meal pattern of two-three large meals per day rich in carbohydrates is known to keep the blood glucose level consistently high.

“These patients are at a higher risk of developing complications involving heart, kidney and eyes besides many other organs if their diabetes is not managed well. It should be noted that one per cent reduction in HbA1c can reduce the risk of heart failure by 16 per cent and the risk of heart attack by 14 per cent,” said Dr Vijay Viswanathan, diabetologist at MV Hospital for Diabetes.