Diabetes Study

Maharashtra Exceeds Delhi in Diabetes Burden

Aventis Pharma Limited (sanofi-aventis Group) recently announced the results of the New Delhi data for SITE (Screening India's Twin Epidemics) making it the second center after Maharashtra to complete the study. This first of its kind study planned across 10 states shows that a very high percentage of the out-patient participants in the study residing in Maharashtra and New Delhi have uncontrolled diabetes. The study found that the percentage of patients suffering from both diabetes and hypertension (twin epidemic) is higher in Maharashtra than New Delhi.

SITE is a cross sectional study to assess the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed cases of diabetes and hypertension in outpatient settings in major cities across India. The study has been commissioned by sanofi-aventis India in order to quantify the increasing likelihood of diabetes and hypertension becoming twin epidemics in India. It also seeks to increase awareness amongst medical professionals, specially general practitioners and patients.

Compared to Delhi at 33 per cent, the prevalence of diabetes in Mumbai was found to be at 40 per cent. Prevalence of hypertension was at 56 per cent for Mumbai, as against Delhi at 48 per cent. The awareness level in Mumbai stood at 56 per cent as against 48 per cent in Delhi. People with hypertensives with kidney complications, was found to be at 32 per cent in Mumbai as against 23 per cent in Delhi, also diabetics with kidney complications was found at 31 per cent in Mumbai as against 27 per cent in Delhi.

EH News Bureau