14 November is World Diabetes Day. The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes worldwide is 463 million and by 2045 this number will reach up to 700 million people. This means a low quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality for a large percentage of the population, but also a significant increase in the cost of care for health systems.
Type 2 Diabetes ( DT2) is a major risk factor for the development of a number of diseases such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetic nephropathy and ophthalmopathy as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition patients with DM2 have dementia, depression and psychosomatic disorders more often than non-diabetic patients.
There are now prevention strategies to delay the onset of DT2, but also to slow down the progression of the disease. The primary role here is to change eating habits and lifestyle in general. Gradual weight reduction, setting realistic goals, and improving the quality and reducing the quantity of food consumed is the main, and often the most difficult to achieve, step in this direction. Equally important is the integration of physical exercise into our daily lives.
Today we have at our disposal pharmaceutical means for the treatment of DT2 and the prevention of the disease. Metformin is the oldest and most easily accessible drug. As long as the possibility of renal or liver failure has been ruled out, metformin can be administered even from childhood .
The efficacy of GLP-1 peptide receptor agonists, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, is now unquestioned. Nevertheless, patients should be properly informed about the side effects of the drugs in this group, such as the occurrence of diarrhoea or constipation, and the possibility of serious complications such as pancreatitis. An additional contraindication to the administration of these drugs is myeloid carcinoma of the thyroid in the personal or family history.
In the near future we expect to have the newest drugs available that act on two levels: they are agonists of the GLP-1 and GIP peptide receptors that help to reduce body weight and therefore prevent the onset of DT2.
However, it must be clear that no medication can replace the change of dietary habits and physical exercise that are the main pillar in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 Diabetes .
Maria Chioga, MD, PhD. Specialist Endocrinologist
Euromedica Egkefalos Chalandriou
Rizarios 3 & Chr. Smyrnis, Chalandri, P.O. Box 15233
Call centre: 210 6891800-3