2024-03-11 09:36:42
Diabetes tends to increase in Switzerland. A Geneva study shows a stable prevalence but identifies potential for improvement in the treatment and monitoring of the disease.
A team from the University and University Hospital of Lausanne (UNIL/CHUV) as well as the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) evaluated data collected between 2005 and 2019 via the Health Bus in Geneva, which aims to better identify the factors of risk of non-communicable diseases.
The participants, a thousand adults per year, representative of the population and aged 35 to 74, are drawn at random and invited to a medical examination. The scientists were thus able to study data from more than 12,000 people and compare developments in the diagnosis and management of diabetes over the periods 2005-2009, 2010-2014 and 2015-2019.
Results: Over the entire period, the general prevalence of the disease as well as the frequency of undiagnosed cases decreased slightly, from 8.7% to 6.2% and from 7% to 5.2% respectively. Questioned by Keystone-ATS, epidemiologist Pedro Marques-Vidal (CHUV/UNIL) however specifies that people with diabetes are reluctant to go to the Health Bus.
“Diabetics tend not to accept invitations to a medical examination,” adds the specialist, co-author of this research with Ariane Pauli (UNIL) and Carlos de Mestral (HUG). This would explain this relative decline, while generally speaking, the trend is rather towards a slight increase, according to other studies at the national level.
Treatment and control to improve
Concerning the proportion of people treated, stable, it barely exceeds 50%, i.e. a “relatively low” share, according to this work published in the journal Scientific Reports.
As for people whose diabetes is controlled, that is to say whose blood sugar level is within the norm, the proportion is a third (34%), also stable over the period considered. “We are a little disappointed because it is quite low,” comments Professor Marques-Vidal.
Overall, women with diabetes were less likely to be treated, but their blood sugar levels were better controlled. “As soon as they are treated, women take better care of themselves and follow treatments better,” notes Pedro Marques-Vidal.
“The medicine is not everything”
In obese people, the opposite was observed, with more treatments but poorer blood sugar control. According to the Lausanne professor, these results are in line with other studies carried out in high-income countries.
In terms of treatment and control of the disease, there is progress to be made, according to the authors. “The medication is not everything, you also need to change your nutritional habits and get active,” emphasizes Professor Marques-Vidal. However, an ad hoc dietary consultation lasts 40 minutes. “Doctors are not trained and do not have the time” for such care, he says.
There is therefore potential for improvement here, just as in the monitoring of patients. Medication compliance leaves much to be desired, with a “cat and mouse game” among certain patients who take their medications just before going to the doctor and are less careful the rest of the time.
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