MILLIONS of patients with Type 2 diabetes refuse to make the lifestyle changes that could save them from heart disease, strokes, blindness and amputations, a shock report showed yesterday.
Six out of 10 are at risk of a host of life-threatening complications because they refuse to exercise.
And half of patients increase their chances of debilitating illness or death because they do not change their diet.
The report, based on a global study, lays bare the extent of Britain’s diabetes crisis, revealing a “clinical inertia” among both doctors and patients.
Astonishingly, it shows that 75 per cent of Type 2 patients are not concerned about the risk of complications from which they could easily die.
Just 40 per cent say they have increased their level of exercise after diagnosis, despite receiving regular counselling on the importance of lifestyle changes. On top of that, doctors admit that they only expect around half of people with the condition to reach their blood sugar goals.
Dr David Strain, of the University of Exeter Medical School, who chaired the committee behind the Time 2 Do More survey, said: “The low expectations described by both physicians and people with diabetes appear to be self-fulfilling prophecies.
“This must be reversed if we are to tackle one of today’s biggest global health problems.”
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 per cent of all cases and, in the UK, costs the NHS a staggering £296 a second.
However, 42 per cent of people patients do not reach their blood sugar goals.
Dr Strain said: “The survey adds a wealth of data that gives us insights into what needs to be done to provide better outcomes for those with the condition.”
He hoped to translate the findings into “simple recommendations” to improve overall care.
The survey found that 68 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes understood the importance of lifestyle changes but only 51 per cent made dietary changes and even fewer took more exercise.
More on this story here.
Eddie
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