Live Healthy To Beat Diabetes National Diabetes Week: 13 - 19 July Australia

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Nutrition / Diet;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 14 Jul 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging Australians to adopt a healthier lifestyle against the backdrop of National Diabetes Week. The awareness raising event runs from 13 - 19 July.

"General practitioners are often the first point of contact in the health system for people with Type 2 diabetes. The complexity of treatment for this common disease requires systematic care from the practice team and the timely referral to community and hospital based specialists," said Dr Linda Mann, GP from Sydney and member of the college's diabetes guidelines editorial committee.

"Diabetes is a serious health condition. If left undiagnosed or poorly controlled, diabetes cause coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, diabetic neuropathy, renal failure, amputations and blindness.

"However, if diagnosed early, diabetes can be effectively managed and the risk of serious health problems greatly reduced," said Dr Mann.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's 2008 health report, diabetes is becoming more common in Australia and across the world, and it has been estimated that it affected nearly 900,000 Australians aged 25 years and over in 1999-2000. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have markedly higher rates of diabetes (specifically Type 2) compared with other Australians.

Diabetes was the third most frequently managed chronic condition and represented 2.4% of all problems managed by GPs, according to the 2005-06 BEACH survey. Diabetes was also the problem most frequently referred by GPs to specialists and other health professionals in 2004-05.

"Type 2 diabetes - the most common form of diabetes - is a chronic condition which can result in disability and early death. However, Type 2 diabetes can be successfully managed or even prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity and having healthy eating patterns," said Dr Mann.

The RACGP Red Book, the college's guide to preventive activity in general practice, recommends that all patients over 55 years of age should be screened for diabetes type 2 every three years. This should commence from 45 years of age in those with other risk factors, or from 35 years of age in Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander people, Pacific islanders or those from the Indian subcontinent or China. High risk groups should be screened every year.

"National Diabetes week presents a great opportunity for GPs to talk with their patients about diabetes. We can take this opportunity to provide advice on staying fit, undertaking regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and adopting a healthy diet," said Dr Mann.

In its submission to the Australian Government, the RACGP indicated that the new MBS Type 2 Diabetes Risk Evaluation item 713 will be complex to deliver. The RACGP looks forward to the post-implementation review of the item, and encourages GPs not to compromise their standards of care.

GPs can find more details on the RACGP's recommendations on the management of type 2 diabetes in the RACGP Red Book http://www.racgp.org.au/guidelines/redbook or by visiting http://www.racgp.org.au/diabetes/foreword

To find out more about National Diabetes Week please visit here.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia's general practitioners.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners