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World Diabetes Day: #KnowYourRisk "Reducing Risk for Diabetes, Reducing Risk for Complications" by IDF

Amidst the growing burden of diabetes worldwide, diabetes care leader Novo Nordisk, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital Section of Endocrine, Diabetes and Metabolism, the UST College of Education, and the Philippine Society for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM) conducted screening activities, patient education and simulation of diabetes complications at the UST campus as part of the country’s observance of World Diabetes Day (WDD). The event themed “Reducing Risk for Diabetes, Reducing Risk for Complications” was attended by more than 150 people where the culminating activity was the formation of the World Diabetes Day Blue Circle.

Latest data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reveal that 415 Million people worldwide have diabetes. The IDF estimates that this figure will increase to 642 million by 2040.1

About 3.27 million people in the Philippines have diabetes, affecting one in 16 of the country’s adult population. An estimated 1.74 million Filipinos remain undiagnosed and are therefore untreated, putting them at risk for complications such as heart attack, blindness, kidney failure and loss of limbs. In 2014, over 50,000 deaths in the country were related to diabetes.

“The number of Filipinos with diabetes continues to rise. If not controlled, diabetes causes life-threatening complications. As such, we need to increase awareness on diabetes prevention, early diagnosis and optimal treatment,” said Dr. Sjoberg Kho, Chief, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH).

“Patient education and awareness is crucial in the prevention and optimal management of diabetes. An informed patient has a much better chance of preventing the serious complications of the disease,” said Associate Professor Cristina Sagum, Program Chair, UST College of Education, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.

“Diabetes management requires a multi-disciplinary team consisting of endocrinologists, nurses, diabetes educators, podiatrists, nutritionists-dietitians and, most importantly, patients. Patient self-management is vital in optimal diabetes management,” said Associate Professor Zenaida Velasco, UST Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; and former Board of Director, Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators (PADE).

“The number of people living with diabetes continues to grow. Of the 415 million people with the condition, almost half do not even know they have it, putting them at risk of developing serious complications such as heart attacks, blindness, kidney failure

and loss of limbs. Novo Nordisk is committed to change diabetes and we are honored to work with our partners in celebrating World Diabetes Day in the Philippines,” said Mr. Jeppe B. Theisen, General Manager, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Philippines, Inc (NNPPI).

“A healthy lifestyle, which includes proper diet and regular exercise, combined with optimal treatment compliance is the key to reducing the risk for serious, life-threatening complications of diabetes. Self-management as well as helping educate family members who may also be at risk is a vital role of patients,” said PSEDM President Dr. Bien Matawaran.

Held at the UST College of Education quadrangle on November 10, 2015, the World Diabetes Day activity was organized by Novo Nordisk Philippines in partnership with the USTH Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, the UST College of Education and the PSEDM. Activities included screening tests for fasting blood sugar (FBS), lectures on healthy eating and reducing risk of complications, and interactive simulation booths designed to let people “experience” the serious complications of diabetes such as hypoglycemia, blindness, amputation, dialysis and peripheral neuropathy (loss or tingling of sensation in hands or feet).

In the Blindness Booth, a person wears a blindfold and walks around the booth for three minutes. In the Amputation Booth, a person uses crutches to walk around the booth for five minutes. In the Hypo Simulation Booth, a person wears a 3D simulator headgear and watches a 3-minute video on how hypoglycemia feels. In the Nutrition Counselling Booth, a person receives healthy eating advice from a nutritionist-dietician. In the Dialysis Simulation Booth, a person wears a 3D simulator headgear and watches a 5-minute video on how undergoing dialysis feels. The Neuropathy booth, while patient is wearing thick gloves, they will touch certain textures to experience limited touch sensation.

For the culminating activity of the World Diabetes Day activity at UST, members of the Ugnayan Diabetes Club, UST faculty members and students, USTH healthcare professionals, and Novo Nordisk Philippines employees formed a Blue Circle in the UST Football Field. The Blue Circle is the international ‘unite for diabetes’ symbol.