Diabetes and hypertension are indeed becoming a twin epidemic in Karnataka, according to the findings of the ‘Screening India's Twin Epidemic' (SITE) study conducted by Aventis Pharma. The company announced the SITE study findings on Wednesday for eight States — Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, New Delhi, West Bengal, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

The Sanofi SITE study for Karnataka included close to 2,000 patients across Bangalore, Mangalore, and Mysore. The objective of the study is to quantify the concurrent incidence of diabetes and hypertension, and to increase awareness of what is called the ‘Twin Epidemic' with alarming implications for healthcare in India.

More awareness needed

Dr Mohan Badgandi, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Consultant - Head of the Department, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, said in a press release that 17 per cent of those surveyed in Karnataka was suffering from both diseases. “In nearly 7 per cent of the newly diagnosed cases, the patients did not know that they had diabetes. Shockingly, even amongst the diabetics undergoing treatment, 69 per cent were ‘uncontrolled' thereby emphasising the need not only for regular testing but also for greater awareness about the correct treatment regime,” he added

Among the hypertensive patients, over 84 per cent did not have their hypertension under control. The data further reveals that 25 per cent of the hypertension patients suffer from kidney complications. These revelations highlight the importance of screening patients for risk factors to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.”

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