On 15 May the 6th edition of the national educational campaign "Living with diabetes" published by Medical Media Solutions under the auspices of the International Diabetes Federation and the Polish Diabetes Association, as part of which a publication on the prevention and treatment of diabetes was published in the daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita. Especially for you, the publication is also available online: http://dbajozdrowie.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Zyciezcukrzycamaj2017.pdf
Diabetes currently affects more than 415 million people worldwide and nearly half are unaware of their disease. Most have type 2 diabetes and it is a leading cause of premature death and numerous complications. "Every six seconds a person in the world dies from diabetes. This fact brings us to a point where it is absolutely essential for policy makers to take appropriate action and reform, with the support of a wide range of stakeholders." - states Dr Shaukat Sadikot, President of the International Diabetes Federation. There are approximately 3 million people with diabetes in Poland, of whom several hundred thousand are unaware of their disease and do not take treatment. It should be stressed that this is a disease which, despite medical progress, leads to a shortening of life expectancy. The main causes of death are cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack and stroke. "It is therefore a huge challenge for society as a whole, for policy makers, for the medical community and for the healthcare system and the state budget." - he points out Prof. Maciej Malecki, MD, PhD, President of the Polish Diabetology Association.
Cardiovascular risk reduction
Modern drugs, not only effectively lower sugar levels, but also prolong patients' lives and reduce cardiovascular complications. It is now claimed that the new goal of diabetes treatment is no longer just to lower blood sugar levels, but also to reduce cardiovascular risk. "Thanks to new clinical trials, the point of view has changed. It has turned out that there are diabetes drugs that reduce cardiovascular risk and death independently of lowering blood sugar." - he explains Prof. Dr. med. Edward Franek from the Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology of the Polish Mother and Child Hospital (CSK MSWiA) in Warsaw. A landmark study in this area was EMPA-REG OUTCOME, conducted over three years and involving more than 7,000 diabetic patients at high cardiovascular risk in 42 countries. A significant 38% reduction in cardiovascular deaths was found with the addition of empagliflozin to existing therapy. "These are spectacular results, hitherto unattainable for us. With this therapy, we are finally able to significantly reduce the cardiovascular risk in our patients, consequently extending their lives." - comments Prof. Dr. med. Paweł Piątkiewicz from the Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetology and Endocrinology at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Appropriate treatment of neuropathy
Patients are also affected by many other complications, as elevated sugar levels damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes, kidneys, feet and nerves. One of the more common complications of diabetes is neuropathy, or damage to the nervous system, which is associated with sensory disturbances and unpleasant pain sensations. If a patient sees a sensory disturbance, feels a burning, burning or unusual sensation, they should inform their doctor as soon as possible. For the causal treatment of neuropathy, doctors have α-lipoic acid at their disposal, which is proving helpful in many cases. "In order to have therapeutic properties, α-lipoic acid must be administered at a dose of at least 600 mg per day. This dose has been found to be effective in clinical trials. In sequential therapy, it is best for the patient to start with the intravenous form of α-lipoic acid and later switch to the oral form of therapy." - he points out dr n. med. Jarosław Woroń from the Department of Pharmacology, Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow.
Following doctor's orders
The cornerstone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes is metformin therapy. It is a well-known, widely available and effective drug that, in optimal doses, has a positive effect on the patient. "Most often, the substance is taken three times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since its effectiveness depends on the dose, it should be taken in full." - notes Prof. Dr. med. Grzegorz Dzida from the Department of Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Lublin. Taking metformin with a meal is important in that it reduces side effects and improves patient compliance with treatment recommendations. This is an important issue as, in the case of chronic diseases, only slightly more than half of patients adhere to their doctor's recommendations. "The patient's role in their treatment process is huge, which is why it is so important that there is clear communication between them and the medical staff." - he adds Beata Stepanow, MA, President of the Association for Diabetes Education.
Accurate self-monitoring of blood glucose
Diabetes is a disease that requires the acquisition of a great deal of new knowledge to help manage the patient's life properly. Experts have been pointing out for years that self-monitoring of blood glucose is the basis of proper diabetes monitoring and an essential part of treatment. "Every time you measure your blood sugar, you can better understand the processes in your body and thus better manage your diabetes. After all, this disease is all about avoiding complications, and frequent blood sugar measurements are definitely conducive to this." - he points out Jerzy Magiera, creator of the mojacukrzyca.org website. Nowadays we have modern glucometers, thanks to which we can easily carry out self-monitoring and obtain accurate results. "It is worth remembering that in diabetes, the time invested in education about the disease and, above all, in systematic self-monitoring will pay off in the future, the immediate one - today and tomorrow, as well as the one a little further away." - he adds Mariusz Masiarek, President of the Association for Helping Children and Young People with Diabetes mojacukrzyca.pl.
Kick diabetes and live actively
Physical activity is an important pillar of proper diabetes treatment, helping to reduce the risk of developing chronic complications of the disease and maintaining wellbeing and general health. On the last weekend of April, the 1st Polish Championships for Children and Young People with Diabetes in Football took place in Gniezno, proving that diabetes is not an obstacle to sport. "More than 600 people, including 200 young athletes, took part in the Championships, all of whom also had the opportunity to take part in educational panels where experts shared their knowledge and experience on safe physical activity." - he points out Prof. Dr. med. Dorota Zozulinska-Ziolkiewicz, Vice President of the Polish Diabetological Society.
Challenges of diabetology in 2017
Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges facing our society and affects the daily lives of many Polish families. It is crucial to think about it comprehensively and apply solutions that put the well-being of patients first. "Unfortunately, there is a lack of reimbursement in Poland for incretin drugs and flosins - these are so-called smart diabetes drugs that only work when needed, i.e. when blood sugar levels actually rise." - believes Anna Sliwinska, President of the Polish Diabetes Association. "As a nurse, I have to point out that in Poland people with diabetes are disadvantaged not only because of the lack of reimbursement of modern medicines, but also because of the unavailability of diabetes education." - he adds Alicja Szewczyk, President of the Polish Federation of Education in Diabetes. For many years, the community of organisations gathered around the Diabetes Coalition has been calling for the creation of systemic solutions for the treatment and prevention of diabetes, with recommendations included in the strategic document 'Diabetes 2025'. "On the basis of such a long-term strategy, a comprehensive policy and action plan can be developed that covers the main types of diabetes, the entire process of prevention, from primary prevention through prevention of complications, treatment and comprehensive care." - states Igor Grzesiak, Board Member of the Institute for Patient Rights and Health Education. "In the near term, it should be the task of the diabetes community to convince decision-makers that reimbursement of adult pumps will be beneficial for patients' health and cost-effective for the state budget." - he adds Monika Zamarlik, President of the Diabetes Federation.
Much more on the broad topic of diabetes, to which the campaign is dedicated, can be found in the publication 'Living with diabetes', which was published on 15 May 2017 with the daily newspaper 'Rzeczpospolita' and on the www.dbajozdrowie.info. We invite you to read more.
source: press materials