Oman: 13% of population affected by diabetes 

(MENAFN - Times of Oman) Diabetes cases in the Sultanate have almost touched 13 per cent of the population, whereas another 40 per cent cases are still undiagnosed, informed Dr Mohammed Al Lamki, head of Oman Diabetic Society.

The reason for undiagnosed cases in Oman, Al Lamki said, could be due to the fact that the people do not have any apparent symptoms. However, they might get diagnosed by chance when they have medical check-up for other ailments

In an exclusive tete-a-tete with Times of Oman, Al Lamki, while pointing out that the number of cases is constantly on the rise, said, "by 2025, an estimated 350,000 people in Oman are likely to suffer from diabetes, especially with Type 2 diabetes. This is due to lifestyle changes, food and other factors.

Complications

Diabetes is a condition in which a person has a high blood sugar (glucose) level as a result of the body either not producing enough insulin, or because body cells do not properly respond to the insulin that is produced. (Insulin is a hormone that changes sugar, starch and other food into energy needed for the body.)

The most common types of diabetes include Type 1, which results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin, and Type 2 which results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency.

The disease has many complications like blindness, renal insufficiency, coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction, peripheral circulatory disorders and acute complications (hypoglycemia, ketosis and lactic acidosis).

Al Lamki, while explaining about the recent workshop, said that it covered various therapeutics/modalities that could be utilised to prevent complications of the disease.

"Among the new modalities that we have discussed, one of them is about the drug called GLP1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) which stimulates the remaining insulin in the body and control diabetes. GLP1 also blocks another hormone called glucogon. The drug also prevents further deterioration of the beta cells (cell that make and release insulin)," he added.

Expensive drug

This drug is expensive, however the advantage of using it is that it makes someone lose weight. "When someone loses weight, it means that the metabolic syndrome is being controlled," he pointed out. The results of the drug have been positive so far especially in Europe and the United States.

When asked whether Oman has started using the drug, he said, "Yes, we have started using it. Personally I am treating 28 patients with this drug. Two of them have withdrawn from the treatment as they could not adapt with the side effects, which are initially vomiting and nausea. In fact, some patients are less likely to be compliant with treatments that cause such side effects. However, the results are excellent so far."

"The same drug can also be used for treating obesity and overweight," he added.

"Other than GLP1, other drugs makes the patient gain weight," Al Lamki informed.

About children suffering from diabetes in the Sultanate, Al Lamki said: "Children suffering from Type 1 are less than 3-4 per cent. Nonetheless, the cases of children infected with Type 2 will keep on increasing."

"The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Development should work together to address this issue through health education programmes or even include it to the curriculum of the schools," Al Lamki added.

"Oman Diabetes Society is making significant efforts to spread awareness on diabetes by way of organising lectures and workshops. This year, there is a plan to hold workshops in different regions to spread knowledge on the disease. However, the outcome will take some time, as we need more volunteers and financial support to employ people," he said.

By Rahima Al-Balushi