The New Nation - Internet Edition

ABOUT 5.6 per cent of adults besides a large number of children in Bangladesh are suffering from diabetes and the number of diabetic patients is increasing 'alarmingly' with over 20,000 new patients each year. A news report quoting the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) mentions various causes for increase in the prevalence of diabetes attributed to unbalanced food habit, lack of physical exercise, regular intake of energy-dense fast food and soft drinks. The yearly average of the new patients was done on the basis of the data available with the association since the year 2000-2001 when the number recorded was 17,045 till the year 2005-2006 with 22,559.

Diabetes is prevalent among not only the urban people, but also the rural masses. At present 11.2 per cent people in the capital who are over 20 years of age have diabetes. A survey has shown 4.2 per cent people living in the rural areas are affected by diabetes. The proportion of diabetes victims in urban areas was 4 and 6.9 per cent in 1992 and 1996 respectively, while it was 4.3 per cent in the rural areas in 1996.

According to DAB, 96 per cent of the diabetic patients suffer from 'late-onset diabetes' characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development. The diabetic patients have to be cautious to avoid complications, which can cause serious disabilities such as blindness, kidney failure requiring dialysis, amputation or even death. The BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorder), founded by the renowned physician Professor Dr.Mohammad Ibrahim, provides medical treatment and counseling in not only Bangladesh but also the region.