Experts at Primary Healthcare Congress discuss prevention of Type 2 diabetes in GCC

The message is clear; prevention and management of genetic pre-disposition is paramount to halting the cycle of the disease among the population of the Arabian Gulf.

By increasing the quality of primary healthcare -the first point-of-care for most potential diabetes sufferers - medical costs will ultimately be reduced easing the burden on government funds, insurers and ultimately patients themselves.

In its second day, the Primary Healthcare Congress, organised by IIR Middle East Life Sciences Division, will run as part of the 3rd annual Abu Dhabi Medical Congress (ADMC) held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 11 to 13 October 2009.

More than 20 internationally renowned healthcare experts will take to the stage today to discuss medical advances, service innovations and efficiency within Primary Healthcare. Offering CME (Continuing Medical Education) accreditation in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA, the Primary Healthcare Congress is the number one event in the region for this area of healthcare.

As part of the 3rd Middle East Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Disease Conference, Prof M. Karim Meeran, Professor of Endocrinology from the Imperial College in London, UK talks about how to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

He believes that both Type 2 diabetes and obesity are caused by genetics but environmental factors such as lifestyle and exercise can protect us against the effects of these genes and can ultimately reduce the incidence and prevalence of Type 2 diabetes.

"There is a strong genetic basis for Type 2 diabetes," says Prof Meeran. "Studies show that the presence of the TCF7L2 gene coupled with insulin deficiency can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 30 to 50%. In the GCC this risk would be higher as studies show that 1 in 3 people (over the age of 40) in the region are likely to become Type 2 diabetic; a figure much higher than in the rest of the world."

"The good news is that although behaviour is genetic, it can be modified therefore the risk of Type 2 diabetes is reduced and the disease can be termed as preventable. Governments and healthcare providers can encourage people to change their lifestyles and exercise more. This has particular importance in the GCC where people often lead a very sedentary lifestyle increasing the risk of becoming obese."

Exhibitors at the Primary Healthcare Congress are armed with the latest technology in diabetic care. Mr Fred J. M. Slot, CEO of MedWatchDoc in Germany, has developed a highly advanced blood glucose meter and individually packed test strips for people with diabetes.

Mr Slot says:

"With the rate of diabetes sufferers growing rapidly in the Middle East, ADMC is the perfect platform to introduce our new glucose pen sensor to the market. With its aesthetically pleasing design, rechargeable battery and consumer-friendly software, this product makes day-to-day management of diabetes simple. Not only does it remind you when to take your medicine but it can calculate the amount of insulin you need per dose. Using a USB cable or blue tooth you can store the software on you PDA and synchronise this with your computer. The individually-packed test strips have a longer shelf-life than the regular strips that often expiring rapidly after contact with air."

The exhibition and congress will continue to run until 13 October.