The number of Vietnamese having diabetes double after 25 years

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The information was given by Professor Tran Huu Dang, Chairman of Vietnam Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology at a meeting on technology to monitor blood glucose levels on March 12, Vnexpress reported.

"Among the diabetic patients, only 31% are diagnosed, the remaining is not diagnosed," Professor Dang said.

Compared with other countries in the region, by 2045, the number of Vietnamese having diabetes would increase by nearly 80%, to 6.3 million. The number of Chinese, South Korean, and Singaporean are expected to increase from 37 to 48%. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese would decrease by about 10%.

Frequent blood glucose test. Illustrative photo: Sggpnews

Diabetes, a chronic disease is an increase in blood glucose level. In Vietnam, up to 55% of diabetic patients develop complications, mainly heart, eye, nerve, and kidney. Thus, it’s essential to well control the blood sugar level to avoid complications.

Diabetes control in Vietnam remains challenging, with only one-third of patients being quietly well-controlled with HbA1C (glycemic index) of less than 7%. Around 70% of patients have not been treated properly.

Diabetes leads to reductions in life expectancy and quality of life. The cost for treating diabetes in Vietnam was estimated at US$ 320 million in 2007 and is projected to rise to US$ 1.1 billion by 2025. A recent study by Hanoi Medical University indicated that treating patients with complications costs twice compared to ones with no complications.

Diabetic patients are more likely to develop complications in their feet. Photo: Vnexpress

Thus, it is crucial to both lengthen the patients’ life span and life quality and prevent complications. To reach these targets, apart from doing exercise and taking medicine, patients have to well control the blood sugar level, but simultaneously not allowing it lowered.

Statistics show that more than 50% of type 2 diabetic patients experience hypoglycemia during treatment. Of which 8.2% of hypoglycemia at night can lead to deaths.

"The high blood sugar level results in complications such as blindness, heart attack, kidney failure; but hypoglycemia can lead to deaths faster," Dang said.

Insulin is the common type of drug to treat diabetes, but users are at a very high risk of hypoglycemia. Therefore, it is advisable for insulin users to monitor their blood sugar levels about 6-10 times a day. Nevertheless, in fact, most patients only do this less than 4 times.

"Controlling the blood sugar level well and regularly can help diabetic patients to timely adjust their lifestyle, at the same time provide doctors with useful information to change treatment methods," Dang emphasized.

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