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VOLUME 14 NUMBER 2 • DECEMBER 2017
83
SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
DIABETES NEWS
Prediabetes intervention cuts cardiovascular risk
A
ccording to research presented at
the annual meeting of the American
Diabetes Association (scientific session of 16
June 2014), treatment of prediabetes and
restoration of normal glucose regulation
(NGR) reduces cardiovascular risk.
Dr Leigh Perreault of the University
of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
in Aurora and colleagues analysed
cardiovascular risk for 2 775 participants in
the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes
Study, who were randomly assigned to
intensive lifestyle modification, metformin,
or placebo. Cardiovascular risk was assessed
by Framingham score and individual risk
factors for cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that Framingham
scores according to glycaemic exposure
did not differ between the groups. During
10 years of follow up, mean Framingham
scores were highest among those in the
prediabetes group (16.2 versus 15.2 in
those restored to NGR and 14.3 in those
with diabetes), but this score declined over
time. Higher medication use for treatment
of elevated lipid and blood pressure levels
partly explained the lower Framingham
score in the diabetes group versus the other
groups, a declining Framingham score in the
pre-diabetes group, and favourable changes
in individual cardiovascular risk factors.
Regardless of type of initial treatment,
participants who did not develop diabetes
had a 28% lower occurrence of the
microvascular complications than those
participants who did develop diabetes,
a co-author said in a statement. ‘These
findings show that intervening in the
prediabetes phase is important in reducing
early-stage complications.’
Source:
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/articles/53-/16479-ada-prediabetes-intervention-cuts-cardiovascular-risk
Diabetes News
Innovation needed to provide all citizens of South Africa with essential
healthcare
A
great deal has been documented
about the challenges that South Africa
faces in the provision of adequate primary
healthcare, with the cost of healthcare
acting as one of the foremost barriers to
access across the continent. Other factors
include a lack of qualified healthcare
workers, and a shortage of electricity, water
and basic technology.
In early October this year, the white
paper for the much debated National Health
Insurance (NHI) system was released for
public comment. With only 20% of South
Africansmakinguse of private healthcare due
to exorbitant prices, the public healthcare
system has been under immense pressure to
serve the majority of the population.
Healthcare in South Africa is a study in
contrasts, which requires a two-pronged
approach, addressing both ends of the
healthcare spectrum; catering for the needs
of people who currently don’t have access
to even basic quality primary healthcare on
the one hand, and addressing the rising
incidence of non-communicable diseases on
the other.
The NHI emphasises a new way of
thinking in health governance that is needed
to reshape the health of South Africa. ‘There
are a number of significant areas where our
healthcare system must transform if we are
going to succeed in delivering long-term,
value-based care,” says Jasper Westerink,
chief executive officer, Philips Africa.
Governments cannot be expected to
tackle or change the challenges facing the
healthcare continuum alone. It has become
more important than ever for them to partner
and enable businesses and NGOs to work
collectively in public–private partnerships.
A more connected and integrated form
of healthcare is key to better serve future
generations.
Philips, a global leader in health
technology, emphasises the importance of
advancing primary healthcare by creating
sustainable improvement to address a wide
range of challenges collectively. To address
theseissues,thecompanyiscreatingsolutions
that connect people, technology and data
seamlessly across the care continuum, which
they showcased in Johannesburg at their
Philips Live! Innovation Experience.
The technologies and platforms that
Philips is introducing locally are increasing
the efficiency of healthcare for both care
provider and patients and are intended to
reshape the health of the nation.
The Philips Live! Innovation Experience
showcased technological innovations that
deliver ever-greater precision and minimally
invasive interventions, allowing clinicians to
accurately diagnose and provide the best
treatment the first time round, for some
of the most challenging cardiovascular
conditions and procedures. The experience
also
demonstrated
locally
relevant
technologies and solutions to help address
the complicated and multifaceted problems
facing primary healthcare in South Africa.
In a landscape with escalating costs,
changing regulations and fewer medical
resources, innovations, on-going awareness
campaigns and conversations all highlight
the progress that is being made in the
journey to provide the right care at the right
time to all patients.
‘I look forward to being on the frontline
as we continue to bring technology, data
and people together and as we come up
with even more innovative solutions that
can make people’s lives better in a real and
measurable way,’ concludes Westerink.