Diabetics prone to develop peripheral vascular disease
28 February, 2013
KARACHI: In Pakistan 6.9 million people are affected with diabetes and one out of five people with diabetes will enter a hospital with problems of the feet attributed to the peripheral vessels, warned experts at a seminar arranged at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. Experts including senior diabetologists Prof. Abdul Basit, Prof. S.M. Muneer, Vascular Surgeon Dr Kamal Mohammad Yousuf, Cardiologists Dr Tahir Saghir and Prof. Khan Shah Zaman said most peripheral vascular diseases are due to diabetes. Prof. Abdul Basit said early intervention and counselling had brought down amputation of limbs by 75% in specific groups of patients. "Eighty five percent of these amputations are preceded by ulcers and every 30 second, a limb is lost worldwide due to diabetes," said Dr S.M Muneer from Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre. He said that in Pakistan people did not seek help in time due to financial constraints, lack of education, non-compliance and poor access to facilities. He also added that diabetic foot care was the most cost effective measure in health care expenditure. Prof Abdul Basit, an authority in the management of diabetes and its sequel suggested diabetic education in the community at large. There are eight approved centres in the world, one of them is in Pakistan for training of diabetic educators and there are 115-foot clinics in the country. He also stressed upon the need to provide low cost footwear services for those with diabetic feet. Dr Kamal Muhammad Yousuf, vascular surgeon from Liaquat National Hospital encompassed all congenital and acquired anomalies of peripheral vessels, diagnostic testing and challenges and surgical approach to these problems. He shared his experience in dealing with patients with peripheral vascular diseases and also stressed upon the limitations and hazards of surgery in some cases. The surgeon said the country has seen appreciable advancement in the diagnosis, management and prevention of diseases of the blood vessels supplying the heart, known as the coronary arteries, during past ten years. "In comparison, diseases of the Peripheral Vessels, especially those supplying the limbs have not been given their due prominence," said Dr Kamal. He reiterated that since number of diabetes- affected people in Pakistan was on a steep rise and because diabetes was the most important cause of peripheral vascular diseases, it's high time that some action is taken. Assistant Professor in Interventional Cardiology, NICVD Dr Tahir Saghir, talked about endovascular intervention in Peripheral Vascular Diseases especially about the new technologies used. He highlighted the importance of choosing the right intervention for patients whether it be surgical or percutaneous. Dr Tahir said NICVD being the pioneer Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, has taken the initiative to highlight the prevalence and management of peripheral arterial diseases in the community. Prof Khan Shah Zaman, Executive Director of NICVD on the occasion invited all concerned to collaborate in the field of non-communicable diseases, Peripheral Vascular Diseases being one of them. He said the Institute is starting Peripheral Vascular Disease Management Programme from next month with equal attention towards public awareness to prevent the condition. The symposium was attended by imminent cardiologists and physicians besides postgraduates and students. End.
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