Survey Helps Identify Strategies To Address Diabetes Care And Global Economic And Social Impact Of Type 2 Diabetes
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Less than 50% of people with type 2 diabetes are estimated to be at or below their HbA1c [a] (blood sugar) target according to preliminary findings from the global Diabetes Impact Survey presented this week in conjunction with the 44th annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). The Diabetes Impact Survey, which was developed by a steering panel of diabetes professionals and commissioned by Merck Sharp & Dohme, evaluated the economic and social impact of type 2 diabetes by polling 565 healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and 402 people with type 2 diabetes across Europe (France, Germany and the United Kingdom) and Canada. [1] Poorly controlled diabetes can increase the risk of complications including stroke, heart and kidney disease, amputation and blindness. Premature death and disability caused by preventable complications are the most significant costs associated with diabetes and can account for an estimated 5%-10% of a nation's total health budget. [2] Around one in three patients surveyed reported experiencing diabetes-related complications. In fact, up to one in ten patients (3-10%) reported having been admitted to hospital at least once in the last twelve months as a result of their diabetes or diabetes-related complications where the hospital stay was commonly between four and seven days. The most common complications reported were sight loss/eye problems, loss of sensation in the feet and high blood pressure. Also, the survey indicated that approximately 15 percent of patients surveyed were not aware that poor HbA1c control may contribute to complications and up to 44 percent of patients surveyed were not aware of their target HbA1c level. "These results reinforce our current thinking; from a social and economic perspective there is a role for all of us to act now to help slow the diabetes epidemic. Ensuring our patients receive the right level of education and care to help them effectively manage their disease is a key step in the process," said Professor Anthony Barnett, survey steering panel member and Professor of Medicine, University of Birmingham, UK. "The survey results also note that it is important for clinicians to re-evaluate treatment protocols to ensure our patients are receiving the most effective and appropriate therapies as early as possible to help achieve blood sugar goals and prevent related complications before they develop." Challenges in Diabetes Care Lead to Diabetes Complications When selecting a treatment for type 2 diabetes for their patients, HCPs surveyed listed the efficacy of the treatment as the most important characteristic and hypoglycaemia and weight gain as the key side effects to avoid. According to HCPs surveyed, nearly four out of five people with type 2 diabetes are currently taking multiple medications to manage their disease. Additionally, up to one in five of the patients surveyed admitted to missing a dose at least once a week and approximately one in ten admitted missing a dose two to four times a week. At least one in three HCPs strongly agreed that patients' failure to take medication as directed is a major factor in poor disease management. When people with diabetes were asked to cite the reasons they forgot, missed or did not take their medication, the most common were having too many to take, fear of side effects and not thinking they needed to take their treatment daily. A majority of patients surveyed responded that once daily dosing would aid effective disease management and ensure they routinely followed their daily treatment programme. While half of HCPs surveyed reported regularly prescribing their patients newer drug classes, only a small minority (approximately four percent) of their patients were receiving drug treatment with these newer products and virtually all of the HCPs surveyed felt that fewer prescribing restrictions would aid more effective disease management. "The feedback from patients and HCPs suggests that simpler dosing solutions would help diabetes patients manage their disease more effectively and medical professionals believe greater flexibility in treatment choice would also be beneficial," said Professor Stephen Colagiuri, survey steering panel member and Professor of Metabolic Health, University of Sydney, Australia. "Shifting treatment protocols could help to reduce the significant human burden and economic impact of diabetes worldwide." The Economic Burden The prevalence of diabetes is expected to continue to rise and identifying solutions to help manage the disease and its subsequent complications are key to reducing economic barriers and burdens on a global scale. Diabetes has impacted patients' ability to work. Nearly one in five of patients (ranging from 14% in Europe to 22% in Canada) who were working, reported their ability to work was negatively affected by their diabetes. And, up to one in five patient respondents (e.g., 16% in Canada and UK) who were not currently working had stopped working due to diabetes. Whilst governments worldwide are making significant investments in the fight against the diabetes epidemic [b], the HCPs from Europe and Canada who were surveyed strongly urged for a greater focus on helping to prevent type 2 diabetes complications (i.e. more effective treatment to help patients achieve blood sugar goals) rather than treatment of complications once they have developed. A majority of HCPs surveyed believe more frequent and longer consultations are seen as key strategies to help patients reach goal. "The diabetes epidemic is not going to be solved easily but this survey research has reinforced the need for a multi-factorial approach to the problem. This starts with encouraging lifestyle changes early on in at-risk patients and continues through to encouraging compliance and providing effective education and information once patients have started medication." said Professor Chan Siew Pheng, steering panel member and consultant endocrinologist, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. About the Diabetes Impact Survey The Diabetes Impact Survey, commissioned by Merck & Co., Inc., of Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA, known in many countries as Merck, Sharp & Dohme was developed and supported by a steering panel of world-renowned medical, scientific and clinical professionals in the field of diabetes and includes Professor Anthony Barnett, Diabetologist, United Kingdom; Lori Berard, Nurse Manager, Canada; Professor Stephen Colagiuri, Endocrinologist, Australia; Professor Dr Ilhan Satman, Diabetologist / Endocrinologist, Turkey; and Professor Chan Siew Pheng, Endocrinologist, Malaysia. The survey was designed to assess the issues and barriers related to access and how they impact the overall burden of diabetes. For these preliminary findings, 565 healthcare professionals and 402 type 2 diabetes patients across four countries: Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, were surveyed. Full survey results, which will include findings from India and Mexico, are expected to be presented during World Diabetes Day, 2008. About Merck Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to Forward Looking Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck's business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, and in any risk factors or cautionary statements contained in the Company's periodic reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference. [a] HbA1c is a measure of a person's average blood glucose over a two-month to three-month period. References 1. Merck data on file. Diabetes Impact Survey. Conducted by TNS: 28th June - 21st July 2008 Merck & Co., Inc. More info
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