Shock findings in diabetes study

A major pilot screening study on diabetes among VHI customers has shown that 64%, or almost two in every
three people tested, were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Over 2,000 people in Dublin have been screened to date as part of the study carried out by VHI Healthcare on its customers.

VHI Medical Director Dr Bernadette Carr said the early indications from this pilot study are quite alarming.

"Of the reports that have been fully completed, nearly two-thirds of people have been shown to have an elevated diabetes risk score. Other tests we have taken also indicate that a similar proportion of those tested so far have also been found to be overweight or obese, and more than 80% of people have raised cholesterol levels."

Dr Carr said it was found that found that some 68% of men and 64% of women had waist circumferences larger than would be considered healthy.

Waist circumference (i.e. one's body shape) is a big predictor for the possible development of diabetes. For a man the normal waist circumference should not exceed 94 centimetres, whereas for a woman less than 80 centimetres would be considered normal.

Identifying people with pre-diabetes, before the disease can develop is very important because the condition carries a higher risk for future diabetes as well as heart disease, Dr Carr said.

She said the screening initiative has enabled VHI Healthcare to intervene at an early stage and help members become aware that they need to reduce their risk through diet and exercise management," she added.

The study also found that that some 40% of men and 28% of women had given up smoking. In addition, although 17% of men were drinking more than the recommended maximum 21 units of alcohol per week, just five per cent of women admitted to exceeding their limit of 14 units.

"This is very encouraging news,"  Dr Carr said.

The VHI says it plans to extend the screening programme further.

It currently screens VHI members in the St James's and Mater Hospital catchment areas. It is planned to extend diabetes screening to Cork and north county Dublin next year.

The VHI plans to have screened 4,000 members at the current Dublin screening locations by the end of this year.

[Posted: Thu 15/10/2009]