Abstract
Diabetes prevention is possible and a lot of strategies have been implemented worldwide. Unfortunately, we lack systematic efforts of combined Type 2 Diabetes risk factors screening with the concept for patients knowledge and evaluation of health information. This is true in semi-urban Greek areas stricken by the socio-economy crisis. We used the FINDRISK questionnaire and a knowledge attitude and perceptions questionnaire for cardiovascular risk factors. Totally 358 people were recruited from March to June 2014. Young doctors examined the patients and filled in the questionnaires after their fully informed consent. We have found 75 people (20,95%) with score >15. Mean age: 52,14 years and mean BMI: 27,43kg/m 2 Accordingly their knowledge about health risk factors >90% knew the significance of high blood cholesterol, Diabetes, bad diet, exercise, smoking, obesity and hypertension, but over 60% underestimated their exact mortality impact on cardiovascular events. In our area pilot study, the burden of the problem for future development of T2D is probably heavy. Although health risk factors knowledge is growing, there are gaps in the field of person oriented methodology approach for enhanced health literacy. We need the development of targeted intervention programmes towards interdisciplinary working, transparent decision-making and active health-literated involvement of patients.
Highlights
The International Diabetes Federation’s global estimates for 2011 suggest that 52 million Europeans aged 20–79 years old have DM and by 2030 this number will increase to over 64 million. [1]In 2011, 63 million Europeans had IGT (Impaired Glucose Tolerance)
There is a lack of a unique biological marker when diagnosing T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) —besides post-prandial plasma glucose (PG)—that would separate IFG (Impaired Fasting Glucose), IGT, or T2DM from normal glucose metabolism
T2DM develops following a prolonged period of euglycemic Insulin Resistance, which progresses to DM with increased risk of vascular complications
Summary
In 2011, 63 million Europeans had IGT (Impaired Glucose Tolerance). A total of 317 million women and 281 million men worldwide died with DM (Diabetes Mellitus) in 2011, most from CVD (Cardiovascular Disease). There is a lack of a unique biological marker when diagnosing T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) —besides post-prandial plasma glucose (PG)—that would separate IFG (Impaired Fasting Glucose), IGT, or T2DM from normal glucose metabolism. T2DM develops following a prolonged period of euglycemic Insulin Resistance, which progresses to DM with increased risk of vascular complications. The present definition of DM is based on the level of glucose at which retinopathy occurs, but macrovascular complications such as cerebrovascular, coronary and peripheral artery disease appear earlier and are often present at the time when T2DM is diagnosed. CVD risk should be given a higher priority when cut-points for hyperglycaemia are defined and should be re-evaluated frequently based on the CVD risk
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