A study published in The Lancet journal found that about 828 million people worldwide are suffering from this disease. diabetes In 2022. The study also says that one-fourth of people suffering from diabetes are Indians. world diabetes day Celebrated every year on 14th November, the day aims to raise awareness about diabetes and its preventive measures.

Researchers who form the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors Collaboration (NCD-RISC) said the figure of 828 million is four times the 1990 number, with the largest increase in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The researchers said that between 1990 and 2022, diabetes treatment rates stagnated at low levels in many LMICs, where the incidence of the disease increased significantly, resulting in 445 million adults aged 30 and older globally. Suffered from related conditions.

Of the 828 million, India’s share was more than a quarter (212 million). Another 148 million were in China, while 42 million, 36 million and 22 million lived in the US, Pakistan and Brazil respectively.

Additionally, in 2022, nearly a third of the 445 million adults (133 million) with untreated diabetes lived in India. “Our findings show that the number of people with diabetes living in low- and middle-income countries is increasing, especially the number of people with untreated diabetes,” said study author Jean Claude of the University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon. Mbanya said.

He added, “The majority of people with untreated diabetes will not have received a diagnosis, so diabetes detection should be an urgent priority in countries with low levels of treatment.”

Undiagnosed diabetes has been linked to complications such as diabetic retinopathy, when high blood sugar levels damage the retina of the eye that can potentially lead to vision loss and blindness.

The Smart India study, including researchers from Shankara Netralaya in Chennai, was conducted in 10 Indian states and one union territory, involving more than 6,000 patients with diabetes aged 40 years and older who had their retinal images sequentially Were. The authors called for screening for diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes.

“Given the disabling and potentially fatal consequences of diabetes, preventing diabetes through healthy diet and exercise is essential for better health around the world,” said study author Ranjit Mohan Anjana, director of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in India. “

He said the findings highlighted the need for more ambitious policies to restrict unhealthy foods and make healthy foods more affordable.

Mohan Anjana said, “Improving opportunities for exercise through measures such as subsidies for healthy foods and free healthy school meals, as well as promoting safe spaces for walking and exercise, including free entry to public parks and fitness centres. There is also a need to do this.”

Claude Mabanya said, “Improved diagnosis of diabetes requires innovations such as workplace and community screening programmes, extended or flexible healthcare hours to enable people to go outside of standard working hours, HIV/AIDS and TB to be integrated with screening and care for diseases such as Well-established programs, and access to trusted community health service providers.

Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.