Diabetes in Austria Often Undetected

ÖDG President Peter Fasching advocates for regular HbA1c tests during health examinations. The internist supports the mandatory determination of long-term blood sugar levels upon hospital admission. A study in Upper Austrian hospitals found that over half of the 3,000 patients had a glucose metabolism disorder. Fasching emphasized that diabetes and its precursors are more common than many realize. Globally, the numbers are even more alarming, as almost half of those affected are unaware of their condition, especially in countries with limited access to diagnostics and therapy.

Measure Long-Term Blood Sugar More Often in People at Risk of Diabetes

It would also be important to offer the population comprehensive, preventive lifestyle counseling. "To know what keeps me healthy and what makes me sick," said Fasching ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14. Especially for people aged 40, 50 and over, with overweight or a genetic predisposition, blood sugar levels should be regularly checked. Since fasting blood sugar measurement is not always reliable, the physician also advocated for measuring the long-term value HbA1c. Unfortunately, cost-cutting often means this value is not measured in laboratory services or upon hospital admission.

There are enormous advances in modern diabetes therapy, such as injections for weight loss and the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Even with the use of prediabetes, manifest diabetes can be prevented for more than five years, according to Fasching. "The SGLT2 inhibitors and incretin mimetics established in today's guidelines offer those affected not only comprehensive organ and vascular protection but also enable a life with significantly fewer restrictions in everyday life." Elevated blood sugar levels, frequent blood sugar measurements, rigid meal times, or weight gain are no longer everyday burdens for many.

Modern Technologies in the Fight Against Diabetes

But modern technologies also help people with type 1 diabetes mellitus and insulin-treated type 2 in their therapy. Continuous glucose measurements with predictive algorithms or Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems enable precise, automated diabetes management, reduce risks, and improve quality of life, said Julia Mader from the ÖDG board. A new sensor was just tested, which delivered good performance compared to capillary values and can also predict glucose levels in the next two hours or at night to avoid hypoglycemia.

However, a downside is that not all five AID systems are available in Austria, said Mader. Two are available in this country, with one system potentially facing discontinuation as funding from the Austrian Health Insurance Fund is not secure for the future. Maria Fritsch, a specialist in pediatrics and adolescent medicine in Graz, is also struggling with the DiAB-Kids pilot project for mobile care of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is threatened with a halt. "This is a catastrophe," said Fritsch. Especially families with very young children who have type 1 were given a good start here.

World Day Focuses on People with Diabetes in the Workplace

This year's World Diabetes Day focuses on the disease in the workplace. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) wants to pay more attention to the workplace as a relevant area of life. Seven out of ten people with diabetes are of working age, said Gersina Rega-Kaun, First Secretary of the ÖDG. "Millions of people with diabetes face challenges at work every day - from prejudice and discrimination to psychological stress. To manage their disease, these people need flexible breaks, privacy for insulin administration, and understanding for absences.

(APA/Red)

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