There is every reason why you should worry about prediabetes. Its more prudent to know whether you are at risk of diabetes and its complications.
Follow the numbers;
The prevalence of Prediabetes is on the rise worldwide, and it seems this rise is not going to stop. In the year of 2017 Prediabetes affected 7.3 % of the adult population in the world, which was 352 million people. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) ,within 2 years the prevalence of prediabetes increased to 7.5 % in 2019,which is about 373 million people. This is a 21 million new people, meaning that each year about 10 million adults are developing Prediabetes in the world. We are having a more unhealthy population.
Why the fuss about prediabetes anyway?
Prediabetes poses a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Research results from Type 2 diabetes prevention studies in India and the USA provided evidence that suggest that, about 70% of people with untreated Prediabetes will eventually develop Type 2 diabetes mellitus. People who have Prediabetes have body abnormalities in their metabolisms and these lead to overt diabetes slowly but surely if nothing is done about it.
Prediabetes Complications
Prediabetic people develop complications of diabetes even before Type 2 diabetes sets in. These complications include damage to the small blood vessels in the retina of the eye which causes diabetic retinopathy. When it damages the small blood vessels that supply body nerves, it causes diabetic neuropathy. Such complications cause blindness, kidney diseases and brain stroke. Not only does it affect the small blood vessels but also the large blood vessels.
If you have prediabetes you are also at a higher risk of developing heart diseases and high blood pressure.
Who should test/screen for prediabetes?
- Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy.
- People who are aged above 45yr;Insulin resistance is known to increase with age.
- People who are overweight or obese. Meaning that if your body mass index (body weight in kg divided by your height in meters squared(Kg/m2 )is higher than 25 kg/m2 .
- And in addition to being overweight and obese if you have these conditions outlined below;
- If you have a first degree relative with diabetes; these include your brother or sister, mother or father.
- High blood fats that is High density cholesterol <35mg/dl.
- High blood fats, that is, Triglyceride level >250 mg/dl.
- If you have ever suffered or currently have High blood pressure or heart diseases.
- In women who have polycystic ovary syndrome.
- People who are physically inactive.
- Patients with prediabetes need to check for it every year.
Prediabetes however is not as bad as full blown Type 2 diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes may be reversed through lifestyle changes. These changes include focusing on a healthy diet and an increased physical activity.
Wishing you utmost good health; Afya bola zaidi
References.
- Bergman M, et al (2012) ‘Diabetes prevention:Global health policy and perspectives from the ground.’, Diabetes managment(london,England), 2, pp. 309–321.
- IDF (2017) ‘IDF DIABETES ATLAS 2017’. Edited by B. M. Suvi Karuranga, Joao da Rocha Fernandes, Yadi Huang and Contributors. Available at: www.diabetesatlas.org.
- Saeedi, P. et al. (2019) ‘Global and regional diabetes prevalence estimates for 2019 and projections for 2030 and 2045: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas , 9th edition’, Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. Elsevier Ireland Ltd, 157, p. 107843. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2019.107843.