Kolkata, April 10 (FN Agency) India Diabetes Study (I.D.S.) revealed that over 55 per cent of newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients have low HDL-C (High-Density Lipid – Cholesterol) values, indicating that they are at higher risk of developing some form of cardiovascular disease in their lifetime. The study also suggested that 42 pc of all T2DM patients are at a high risk of hypertension. BMI of the patients was recorded to be 27.2 classified as overweight as per the Indian Consensus Group guidelines. The one-of-its-kind nationwide study supported by Eris Lifesciences and co-authored by 16 doctors between 2020- 2021, was conducted in partnership with over 1900 physicians and had a sample size of 5080 patients with mean age of 48 years, from across 27 states in India.
It has been published in the Public Library of Science (PLOS) journal. Following the recent recommendations from the LAI and QRISK3 score2, the study aimed at investigating the extent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in newly diagnosed T2DM patients in India. It also highlighted some ways to manage dyslipidaemia – high cholesterol fats) – in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients. Other key findings from this study, concerning newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients include: About 92.5 pc and 83.5 pc of the total patients are not on any cholesterol-lowering and antihypertensive treatment. Low HDL-C value was the most frequent major risk (55.6 pc) 82.5 pc patients appeared to have at least one cholesterol abnormality. About 37.3 pc patients were hypertensive and younger than 65 years of age.
According to the QRISK3 calculation the obese patients in the current population had 17.1 pc risk of CVD as compared to 14.8 pc for those with lower BMI. About 11.2 pc patients had Target Organ Damage – a chronic kidney disease in the 3b or higher stage. “India Diabetes Study focused on highlighting the cardiovascular risk factors in newly diagnosed diabetes patients across India. While treatment should focus on dietary changes, physical activity and glucose control, additionally addressing cardiovascular risk by strategies like blood pressure control and lipid management offer a more holistic way of management– as also suggested in the India Diabetes Study.” according to A. G. Unnikrishnan, CEO and Chief of Endocrinology at Chellaram Diabetes Institute, Pune, and the Principal Investigator of IDS.