Diabetes Sufferers Prefer Oral Management

A major international study has shown that many people with type-2 diabetes are not achieving optimal blood sugar control despite the availability of effective treatments – a shortfall that may underscore the benefits of dietary approaches. The Optimizing Control in Diabetes (OPTIMIZE) survey involved 1,500 people in seven countries and was conducted on behalf of pharmaceutical firm Pfizer. It found that 64 per cent of people who had had type-2 diabetes for more than 10 years were still not achieving optimum blood sugar levels, as set out by organizations such as the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
The problem seemed to affect both those taking insulin (55 per cent) and oral agents (69 per cent).

"These findings are really very worrying," said Professor Massi-Benedetti , VP of the IDF. "The OPTIMIZE Survey provides us with a real insight into the attitudes of people with diabetes about their condition, and the findings indicate that, despite the availability of insulin, a natural and effective way to control blood sugar, levels of control are sub-optimal at a global level.
“It is vital that we address why people are not getting to target levels, in order to reduce the growing incidence of the devastating complications associated with diabetes."

An estimated 175m people suffer from type-2 diabetes around the world, of which 19m live in the EU. The EU figure is projected to increase to 26 million by 2030, which could have a dramatic effect on health care costs.

The survey was designed in part to give diabetes sufferers a chance to express their views of available ways to managing the disease.

Although insulin remains the most effective course of action, it appears that many sufferers are put off using it because of the necessity for injections.

Of the respondents currently using oral pills and/or diet and exercise, almost half said that they would avoid insulin even if it was recommended by a physician, and a further 13 percent said they would be apprehensive.

The results of the OPTIMIZE survey were discussed by leaders in the diabetes field from 16 countries at a meeting in London in March. Their conclusions will be presented at a major diabetes congress later this year.

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FACT:
Dangers of Stopping Clopidogrel (Plavix®) for Patients with Stents and Certain Other Conditions
A Public Health Alert from the American College of Cardiology: Recent media reports regarding the results of the CHARISMA Trial may be misinterpreted by patients with coronary stents and other conditions*, causing these patients to inappropriately stop taking the anti-clotting drug clopidogrel (Plavix®). Patients taking Plavix® for any reason should consult with their cardiologist or other health care provider before stopping this medication. he CHARISMA Trial was presented at the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology on Sunday, March 12 in Atlanta and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Although the CHARISMA trial showed no benefit to combining Plavix® and aspirin and for certain patients, this study does not invalidate use of the drug for approved indications, such as stenting.
Certain other patients are given Plavix® after hospitalization for heart attack or stroke. Patients with these
conditions must discuss the benefits and risks of anti-clotting medication with their health care provider and
should not stop Plavix® on their own. Discontinuation of Plavix® in patients with recently-placed stents
can cause clot formation within the stent, resulting in serious harm or death.