Abstract
The prevalence and burden of chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, are
rapidly increasing in Thailand and worldwide. Yet in a national survey, it was
reported that 41 percent of those diagnosed with the diabetes were unaware of
the condition and only 26 percent had their blood glucose controlled effectively.
The national health care cost for the 3 million cases is estimated to amount to
350-840 billion baht in 2007. Several studies have been reported that microvascular complications existed prior to the diagnosis of diabetes and later resulted in
retinopathy (10-29%), proteinuria (10-36%) and neuropathy (9%). Furthermore,
risk of macrovascular complications and their death rates of those with prediabetes were equal to those with diabetes and twice of those without. Studies
showed that among those with high risk, the chance of developing to diabetes
can be reduced by changing to of healthy life style - nutrition, physical activity,
and weight reduction - which cut down the incidence of diabetes by 58 percent.
It was reported that risk factors among Thais that might be related to diabetes were high blood pressure, over weight, high blood cholesterol, inadequate
fruit and vegetables intakes, limited physical activity and malnutrition.
In Thailand, among those with diabetes, the prevalence of diabetic complications were nephropathy 43.9%, cataract 42.8%, retinopathy 30.7%, ischemic
heart disease 8.1% and stroke 4.4%. In Finland, the major causes of death among
over half of cases with diabetes type 1 and 2, were myocardial infarction and
ischemic heart disease.
Review of national diabetes prevention and control programs of the United
State of America, Canada, England, Finland and Australia shows that programs
on prevention of diabetes type 2 by changing of life style were commonly endorsed. Advocacy on early diagnoses by screening service for high risk group
and underserved population were clearly spelled out. However, the program in
Finland used a screening questionnaire focusing on risk factors to identify those
with high risk rather than depending alone on laboratory test. Similarities were
reported on the efforts of the 5 developed nations to provide high quality service, continuing care and forming networks at all levels reaching communities
in particular. Many of them underlined the essential of adequate information for
general population in order to increase awareness and commitment in changing
life style. Likewise diabetic patients need this continuing health information pertinent to their participation in treatment and self-care. The national health plans
always underline strategies to strengthen infrastructure and capability of the
health services and health manpower development.
The prevalence and burden of chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, are
rapidly increasing in Thailand and worldwide. Yet in a national survey, it was
reported that 41 percent of those diagnosed with the diabetes were unaware of
the condition and only 26 percent had their blood glucose controlled effectively.
The national health care cost for the 3 million cases is estimated to amount to
350-840 billion baht in 2007. Several studies have been reported that microvascular
complications existed prior to the diagnosis of diabetes and later resulted in
retinopathy (10-29%), proteinuria (10-36%) and neuropathy (9%). Furthermore,
risk of macrovascular complications and their death rates of those with prediabetes
were equal to those with diabetes and twice of those without. Studies
showed that among those with high risk, the chance of developing to diabetes
can be reduced by changing to of healthy life style - nutrition, physical activity,
and weight reduction - which cut down the incidence of diabetes by 58 percent.
It was reported that risk factors among Thais that might be related to diabetes
were high blood pressure, over weight, high blood cholesterol, inadequate
fruit and vegetables intakes, limited physical activity and malnutrition.
In Thailand, among those with diabetes, the prevalence of diabetic complications
were nephropathy 43.9%, cataract 42.8%, retinopathy 30.7%, ischemic
heart disease 8.1% and stroke 4.4%. In Finland, the major causes of death among
over half of cases with diabetes type 1 and 2, were myocardial infarction and
ischemic heart disease.
Review of national diabetes prevention and control programs of the United
State of America, Canada, England, Finland and Australia shows that programs
on prevention of diabetes type 2 by changing of life style were commonly endorsed.
Advocacy on early diagnoses by screening service for high risk group
and underserved population were clearly spelled out. However, the program in
Finland used a screening questionnaire focusing on risk factors to identify those
with high risk rather than depending alone on laboratory test. Similarities were
reported on the efforts of the 5 developed nations to provide high quality service,
continuing care and forming networks at all levels reaching communities
in particular. Many of them underlined the essential of adequate information for
general population in order to increase awareness and commitment in changing
life style. Likewise diabetic patients need this continuing health information pertinent
to their participation in treatment and self-care. The national health plans
always underline strategies to strengthen infrastructure and capability of the
health services and health manpower development.
