IDF WPR Bangkok
PRESS RELEASE
25 October 2005
Bangkok, Thailand
Experts stress that investing in prevention and better treatment of diabetes reduces threats to healthcare resources
The example of diabetic foot care shows that investing in early detection and early intervention is cost effective
International experts in diabetes and foot care call for more aggressive management of diabetes and better provision of diabetic foot care at a press conference held today in Bangkok during the 6th International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Western Pacific Region Congress.
Up to 70% of all lower-limb amputations worldwide are related to diabetes
Amputation is one of the most feared complications of diabetes. It is life-threatening and may involve life-long dependence upon the help of others, inability to work and much misery. Foot problems and amputations are among the most costly complications of diabetes. In developed countries, they account for up to 20% of total healthcare resources available of diabetes. In Australia, they are estimated to amount to AUD 48 million per year. In developing countries, foot complications may use up as much as 40% of available healthcare resources.
“It is estimated that up to 70% of all lower-limb amputations worldwide are related to diabetes and that up to 85% of amputations can be prevented with well-organized diabetic foot care, good diabetes control, education and well-informed self care,” said Dr Karel Bakker, Chair of the IDF Consultative Section and International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF). “We are happy that the new IDF Western Pacific Region guidelines insist on better management of diabetes in order to reduce the risks for diabetes complications in general and that they give practical advice on preventing and treating diabetic foot problems,” he continued.
Every 30 seconds, a lower limb is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world
Over 40 million people in the Western Pacific Region currently have diabetes and the number is expected to almost double by 2025. Of these 40 million, probably 7 million will develop a foot ulcer and for many of them amputation is a real possibility. Although rates vary greatly from country to country, it is estimated that amputations are performed on at least 1% of people with diabetes in continental Asia and on as many as 7% of all people with diabetes in the Pacific Islands.
Research has shown that organized foot care and a multi-disciplinary team-based approach can bring about significant reductions in amputation rates. Despite this, many countries in the Western Pacific Region still lack appropriate diabetic foot care. What is more, there are great disparities in the availability of diabetic foot clinics across the region, with 5 foot clinics for a population of 1.25 billion people in China, none in Fiji, and 15 to 20 for a population of 20 million people in Australia. Even when podiatry and medical services are available, poor coordination between services and professionals often impacts negatively on outcomes.
Also, socio-cultural practices such as walking barefoot, the preference of traditional remedies and herbal medicine leading to a late referral, act as barriers to more effective management and appear to play a role in explaining the high amputation rate in the region. The lack of healthcare professionals such as podiatrists and diabetes educators is another obstacle in many Western Pacific countries.
Investing in prevention is cost-effective
Early detection and early intervention are key to improving outcomes for people with diabetic foot problems and to reducing the unacceptable amputation and mortality rates. The importance of education for people with diabetes, their family and healthcare providers and investment in such strategies cannot be underestimated.
IDF’s World Diabetes Day 2005 campaign is focussed on raising awareness of this often ignored complication and promoting appropriate care and self care. With the slogan ‘Put Feet First: Prevent Amputations’, IDF and the IWGDF seek to underscore the fact that with relatively low investment governments can advance education and prevention. They call on all stakeholders to take appropriate action to bring about a reduction in amputations across the region.
Ends
- Press release to mark the launch of the IDF WPR Type 2 Diabetes Practical Targets and Treatment Guidelines.
- Download the IDF WPR Type 2 Diabetes Practical Targets and Treatment Guidelines (pdf, 720KB)
References:
(*) Plan of Action for the Western Pacific Declaration on Diabetes 2000-2005, p25, WHO, 2001
Diabetes and Foot Care – Put Feet First Prevent Amputations, International Diabetes Federation, 2005
Diabetes Atlas second edition, International Diabetes Federation, 2003
Diabetes and Foot Care – Time to Act, International Diabetes Federation, 2005
For further information, please contact:
• Anne Pierson, IDF Public Relations Manager (Tel: +32-2-5431623, mobile +32-475-343788, anne@idf.org).
Note to Editors
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of 185 member associations in 145 countries, representing millions of people with diabetes, their families, and their healthcare providers. The mission of IDF is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. It does this through education for people with diabetes and healthcare professionals, public awareness campaigns and the promotion of the free exchange of diabetes knowledge.
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself is celebrated on November 14. This year, the theme is diabetes and foot care and the campaign slogan “Put Feet First Prevent Amputations.” World Diabetes Day is an initiative of IDF and WHO. Please visit www.worlddiabetesday.org for further information.
The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) is a worldwide organization whose initial goal was to establish an internationally accepted consensus on the diabetic foot. The International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot and the Practical Guidelines on the management and the Prevention of the Diabetic Foot were published in 1999. Since the launch the document has been translated and published in 25 languages. The Working Group is now working towards implementing the consensus in countries and regions through local representatives. The IWGDF was acknowledged as an IDF Consultative Section on the Diabetic Foot in 2000. For more information, visit www.iwdgf.org.
