KUALA LUMPUR – In line with the rapid development in the medical world, diabetes management has also progressed to meet the rising burden of the disease, said Subang Jaya Medical Centre consultant endocrinologist Dr Chan Siew Pheng Sept 24.
Speaking at a workshop on ‘Changing Diabetes – Journalist Workshop’ at Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral here, she said the treatment of the disease also continued to evolve, ranging from multiple-daily to once-weekly medications.
One such treatment, she said, is the GLP-1 RA class of injectable medicines, which is a new treatment available in the market for diabetics.
The treatment not only reduces blood glucose levels but is also able to manage other diabetes-related complications such as cardiovascular disease and obesity.
She said that with this medicine, type 2 diabetes patient could extend their lifespan by up to 10 to 12 years.
Meanwhile, National Heart Institute consultant cardiologist Datuk Seri Dr Azhari Rosman said anyone suffering from diabetes was more likely to develop cardiovascular disease if it’s not managed well, adding that more young patients were being diagnosed with both diseases.
He said diabetes, hypertension and high blood pressure could lead to death by attacking multiple key organs simultaneously.
“Since sugar itself is toxic to the heart muscle, it can lead to heart failure, with hypertension the major contributor,” he said.
— BERNAMA
