No diagnoses for diabetes sufferers
Добавлено: 13.09.2008, 20:58
HEALTH services are failing to diagnose enough people with Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.
Research by charity Diabetes UK estimated there were 2,998 sufferers in Bromley who had not been diagnosed with the condition by the end of last year.
This suggests Bromley Primary Care Trust (PCT) only succeeded in diagnosing 77.8 per cent of sufferers - more than seven per cent less than the national average.
Out of the 31 London boroughs, Bromley finished eighth worst for diagnosing the condition.
The research was based on a number of studies and 2001 census data which looked at how many people were likely to have the condition in a given area.
This was then compared with the number of people registered as diabetic with their GP.
advertisement
The charity also estimated a total of 57,000 undiagnosed people in London.
Diabetes UK's London regional manager, Roz Rosenblatt, said: "It is extremely worrying thousands of people in London are going about their daily lives unaware they have a condition which puts them at risk of devastating complications.
"Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for up to 12 years.
"By the time they are diagnosed, around half of people with Type 2 diabetes already have evidence of complications.
"Early diagnosis is essential so people can start managing their condition and help reduce their risk of developing these complications."
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder which can lead to heart disease, strokes, blindness, kidney failure and amputations if undiagnosed.
Risk factors of the condition include having a large waist, being overweight, being aged over 40, or over 25 for people of black or south Asian origin, and having a family history of diabetes.
The charity is encouraging anyone with at least two risk factors to visit their doctor.
A Bromley PCT spokesman said: "The figures in the Diabetes UK report are based on a synthetic estimate, taking into account national averages rather than appreciating local variations.
"Bromley PCT's figures show 11,229 patients have been registered as having Type 2 diabetes."
Research by charity Diabetes UK estimated there were 2,998 sufferers in Bromley who had not been diagnosed with the condition by the end of last year.
This suggests Bromley Primary Care Trust (PCT) only succeeded in diagnosing 77.8 per cent of sufferers - more than seven per cent less than the national average.
Out of the 31 London boroughs, Bromley finished eighth worst for diagnosing the condition.
The research was based on a number of studies and 2001 census data which looked at how many people were likely to have the condition in a given area.
This was then compared with the number of people registered as diabetic with their GP.
advertisement
The charity also estimated a total of 57,000 undiagnosed people in London.
Diabetes UK's London regional manager, Roz Rosenblatt, said: "It is extremely worrying thousands of people in London are going about their daily lives unaware they have a condition which puts them at risk of devastating complications.
"Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for up to 12 years.
"By the time they are diagnosed, around half of people with Type 2 diabetes already have evidence of complications.
"Early diagnosis is essential so people can start managing their condition and help reduce their risk of developing these complications."
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder which can lead to heart disease, strokes, blindness, kidney failure and amputations if undiagnosed.
Risk factors of the condition include having a large waist, being overweight, being aged over 40, or over 25 for people of black or south Asian origin, and having a family history of diabetes.
The charity is encouraging anyone with at least two risk factors to visit their doctor.
A Bromley PCT spokesman said: "The figures in the Diabetes UK report are based on a synthetic estimate, taking into account national averages rather than appreciating local variations.
"Bromley PCT's figures show 11,229 patients have been registered as having Type 2 diabetes."