Study flags poor control of blood sugar in Indians  

ICMR-INDIAB study across 27 States stressed the need to have better control over various health parameters

Only over 7% of over 5,297 individuals in India with diabetes were able to achieve their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol targets, according to a recent paper published in the Lancet- Diabetes and Endocrinology. 

The latest results of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-India Diabetes (INDIAB) study, conducted in 27 states (unified Andhra Pradesh), two Union Territories and the National Captial Territory over several rounds for the last decade, have stressed the need to have better control over various health parameters that impact mortality and quality of life.

The report “Achievement of guideline recommended diabetes treatment targets and health habits in people with self-reported diabetes in India (ICMR-INDIAB-13): a national cross-sectional study” reasons that achievement of treatment targets remains sub optimal in India, in a pan-Indian study, and goes on to provide hints for shaping the health care response to the crises. The total sample size was 1, 13,043. 

Higher education, male sex, rural residence, and shorter duration of diabetes (under 10 years) were associated with better achievement of combined achievement of targets, said R. M. Anjana, lead author, and managing director of the Chennai-based Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre that conceived and implemented the study along with ICMR and State-wise collaborators.  

Speaking at a press conference in Chennai, she added that the study used Census data for population distribution, socio-economic factors. For the outcome assessment, good glycaemic control was defined as HbA1c of less than 7·0% (A), blood pressure control was defined as less than 140/90 mm Hg (B), and the LDL cholesterol target was defined as less than 100 mg/dL (C). ABC control was defined as the proportion of individuals meeting glycaemic, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol targets together. 

Only just over 36 %, 95% CI 34·7–37·9) of 4834 people with diabetes achieved good glycaemic (blood sugar) control, over 48% achieved blood pressure control, and 41·5%, achieved good LDL cholesterol control, Dr. Anjana said. There were huge variations depending on geography, and the study results reflected the quality of care available in the region, she added.