In this interview with FOLASHADE ADEBAYO, endocrinologist and Medical Director, Rainbow Specialist Centre, Lagos, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, speaks about the risks posed by diabetes

How serious is diabetes and what are the risk factors?

Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, heart attack and miscarriages in women. It is a leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation worldwide. More than 85 per cent of diabetes foot amputations are preceded by leg ulcer. It is important to detect diabetes early enough so it does not progress to ulcer and then to amputation.

Diabetes is such a serious condition that the World Health Organisation and the International Diabetes Federation chose November 14 as the World Diabetes Day to raise awareness about the disease. The risk factors include family history, being overweight and being over 35 years of age.

How prevalent is the disease in Nigeria?

There are about 413 million diabetic people worldwide and about half of them do not know they have the condition. This year, the key message is to screen for diabetes and its complications. There are no reliable statistics in Nigeria, but we are able to know from published papers that the prevalence is as low as one per cent in the northern region to as high as 11 per cent in Lagos.

In Lagos, one in 10 adults has diabetes. That is how serious it is. The prevalence was not as bad in the 60s. But, with an increase in pocket size, increase in the body mass index, we see an increase in the prevalence. Obesity, poor diet, low exercise, and having a family history of diabetes increase the risk. These days, we see young children with type 2 diabetes.

What is the impact of recession on people living with diabetes and how can it be managed?

People will not be able to buy medication and they will be forced to pay out of pocket. Complications will set in in situations where they cannot afford to pay out of pocket and that could be fatal. People with pre-diabetes have a higher rate of stroke and heart attack than people with normal blood sugar. There should be primary prevention policies that will help us to lead healthy lifestyles and help to manage the condition better.

Things as basic as the footwear that a diabetic patient puts on are important in preventing leg ulcer. That is why we recommend that people with diabetes should have their feet checked twice in a year.