Stress on prevention as diabetes, hypertension incidence rise in India

There are estimated 72.96 million cases of diabetes in adult population of India and the prevalence in urban areas ranges between 10.9% and 14.2% and prevalence in rural India was 3.0-7.8% among population aged 20 years and above with a much higher prevalence among individuals aged over 50 years according to INDIAB Study.

Overall prevalence for hypertension in India was 29.8%. Significant differences in hypertension prevalence were noted between rural and urban parts, 27.6% and 33.8% respectively.These two factors are playing a major role in increasing the mortality rate in the formof heart disease, stokes and kidney diseases.

 International Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Disease Data Center Study reported a prevalence of chronic kidney diseases at 17%. “It appears that even in India, diabetes and hypertension are responsible for 40% to 50% of all cases of chronic renal failure”, says Dr.PrabhuKanchi, MD, DM(NEPHRO),Consultant, Nephrology, Fortis Malar.

The treatment for chronic kidney disease is very costly when it reaches to its end stage (ESRD). ESRD has very high mortality and morbidity. 

Early detection, sustained and monitored treatment to ensure strict and sustained control of both diabetes and hypertension can prevent menace of heart diseases, stokes and Chronic Kidney disease.

 To achieve these,we need to initiate programmes like vaccinations programmes driven at grassroot level and increase awareness, said, Dr.PrabhuKanchi.