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Diabetics missing out on vital drug , shows survey

DUBAI - Diabetes patients in the UAE are missing out on a vital medication that reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a survey released on Monday.

By (Staff Reporter)

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Published: Tue 15 May 2012, 9:06 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 1:45 PM

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) guidelines state that statins, a cholesterol-lowering medicine, be prescribed to all patients with type 2 diabetes over the age of 40.

However, less than one-third (32 per cent) of the affected patients in the UAE have been advised to take a statin, according to the survey conducted by Bryter Health and supported by MSD, a healthcare company.

Of equal concern was that from the 32 per cent advised to take cholesterol-lowering agents, only 19 per cent were actually following the physicians’ advice.

Commenting on the survey findings, Andrew Miles, managing director of MSD in the Gulf Region, said: “At MSD, we are committed to raising awareness of crucial disease areas like diabetes, and the serious complications they can lead to. Promoting greater physician and patient understanding of the link between diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease is essential if we are to save lives.

Despite the fact that physicians clearly understand the need to manage cardiovascular risks for their patients with type 2 diabetes, many patients still do not follow medical advice, simply because they still do not understand the severity of the risk they are putting themselves at.

Patients need to be aware of their risks for heart disease or stroke if we are to ensure more UAE diabetics are adhering to the correct medical treatments.” When asked directly about their statin treatment, just under two-thirds of patients reported that they sometimes or often have difficulties following their statin regimen as prescribed. A quarter stated this was because they did not understand why they needed to take the statin, despite 65 per cent reporting that heart disease was their biggest worry regarding the complications of diabetes.

“These findings further emphasise the need for increased education about the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. More communication between patients and physicians about the cardiovascular disease risks associated with diabetes is essential so that physicians can develop an individualised treatment plan that is right for their patients,” concluded Dr Jaber Al Ansari, Consultant and Endocrinologist at the Dubai Hospital.

Diabetes is prevalent in the UAE and affects more than 18 per cent of the country’s adult population.

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