- Risk assessment on the internet was devised by the charity Diabetes UK
- Those told they are at high risk are advised to make a GP appointment
- Campaigners: More should take it to be diagnosed as quickly as possible
19:35 EST, 26 May 2014
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04:01 EST, 27 May 2014
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Diabetes: Thousands could have the condition without knowing it (picture posed by model)
Hundreds of thousands of people are living with diabetes without realising it, an online test has revealed.
An estimated 630,000 have an undiagnosed type 2 form of the disease, which is linked to obesity, lack of exercise and poor diet, according to Diabetes UK.
One in 16 people who were interviewed after taking the charity’s online risk assessment said they were later diagnosed with the condition.
The test asks participants for details such as their age, ethnicity and weight and then calculates the person’s risk of type 2. Those identified as being at high risk are advised to see their GP.
Diabetes UK said the online risk assessment had been taken by more than 400,000 people, and 1,000 were questioned for the follow-up research.
Barbara Young, chief executive of the charity, said: ‘If left unchecked, type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating health complications such as amputation, blindness and stroke. It is so important that people with type 2 are diagnosed as quickly as possible so that they can start getting the education and healthcare they need to manage it.’
Around 3.8million Britons have diabetes – type 1 and type 2 – but this is expected to rise to 5million within ten years.
Earlier this month it was revealed that one in seven hospital patients has the disease. It currently costs the NHS £10billion but this figure is expected to soar to £17billion by 2025.
Mrs Young added: ‘At the moment, too many people with the condition are not being identified quickly enough and this is why half of people with type 2 already have signs of complications by the time they are diagnosed.
‘But the fact that a significant number of people taking our online Risk Score have undiagnosed type 2 suggests we are reaching the right people with it and those people diagnosed as a result are in a position to start getting the support to give them the best possible chance of a long and healthy life.’
Despite the prevalence of diabetes, campaigners say many hospital staff do not know how to properly administer insulin – one of the main treatments.
Figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that 40 per cent of diabetes patients have experienced medication errors. Simon O’Neill, of Diabetes UK, said one of the most common mistakes was giving insulin without food, causing blood sugar levels to fall dangerously low.
‘Hospitals are particularly bad at managing diabetes,’ he said.
‘There is a large number of medication errors. Patients are often given insulin without giving them food at the same time causing them to have a hypo – low blood sugar.
‘Staff don’t properly monitor them so we are aware of people developing foot ulcers whilst in hospital. They aren’t really tuned into their particular needs so we see really stupid things.’
More than 90 per cent of patients with diabetes have type 2, which is linked to obesity, old age and a family history of the condition.
It occurs when the body loses its ability to process blood sugar, leading to high levels that can damage organs and nerve endings and cause blindness by harming the retinas.
Patients are encouraged to eat healthily and exercise to keep blood sugar low. If this fails they are offered drugs such as insulin.
To take the online test go to riskscore.diabetes.org.uk.
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RW,
LONDON, United Kingdom,
15 minutes ago
Yes, l was diagnosed with pre-diabetes type 2 and a few indicative sympoms like having to visit the loo a lot, often feel a bit thirsty and some propensity for itchy skin conditions/fungal infections. If you have one or more of these symptoms, get checked out.
brucebgw,
Birmingham, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
It can never be a bad thing for people to be identifying these problems early, but the primary care should still be given to people with type 1 diabetes.
BoB,
London, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Type 2 Diabetes is God’s way of punishing the gluttonous members of society. want to be fat lazy and sedentary well then have some diabetes
Only me,
North Yorkshire,
1 hour ago
Bric_a_brac,
Coalville_Leicestershire_UK, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Tell the food manufacturers to stop lacing or food with excess sugar then. Bet the drug companies love them. Who knows – they might even be paying them to lace it. They are certainly making an absolute fortune from the ‘treatments’ for diabetes.
Eric,
Wales,
3 hours ago
I am a have Type 2 Diabetes,keep to your planned diet have regular meals,keep an eye on your own body and look for any change in your habits,or if there are change in any part of you body especially your feet, any cuts that do not heal as they should,if you have these problems go and see your Doctor or the Practice nurse,the problem here is that people are afraid to admit to their problem until it is to late,I am70 I am years old and have my regular check up every year if there is a problem in between I go and see my G.P. Or Practice nurse,long live the National Health Service,it is there for all to use,you have to go to them not them come to you.
Sooz,
Surbiton, United Kingdom,
4 hours ago
I have type 2 but never go to the doctors because they cannot help – there is no NHS any more and cannot offer support or treatment so why bother
epi,
Calcutta, India,
5 hours ago
Seems legit!
David,
Brisbane,
7 hours ago
What a load of rubbish, I am in the high risk area according to the survey for Type 2, funny that as I have had Type 1 for over 40 years.
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