Millions of people in the world suffer from prediabetes - a disruption of carbohydrate metabolism in the body, which leads to an increased level of glucose. A study of the prevalence of prediabetes in the United States showed that 75% of adults have prediabetes. The course of prediabetes is often asymptomatic, which makes diagnosis and treatment very difficult. Therefore, 90% of people with prediabetes do not even suspect that they have high blood glucose levels and do not receive the necessary treatment¹.

As a result, people do not go to the doctors in time and begin developing Type 2 Diabetes. This disease can lead to complications: heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation of the lower limbs. But Type 2 Diabetes can be avoided.

"Despite the decrease in the population of Ukraine, we see that the number of prescriptions for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes² is increasing. Over the past three years - by 18.5% ³. We urge you to consult a doctor, undergo an examination and do not wait development of the disease," Yevhen Zayka, regional director of the Acino pharmaceutical company said.

Prediabetes can last 6-12 years and its development can be stopped. The Department of Health, citing the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association, recommends that all people who have one or more of the following six risk factors be regularly screened for prediabetes:

• Patients with type 2 diabetes in the family
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Excessive body weight
• Elevated cholesterol level
• Polycystic ovary syndrome

Sedentary lifestyle and stress are also significant risk factors.

"According to the DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program)⁴, lifestyle changes in combination with metformin can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 31%. In obese patients, this risk is reduced by 53%," says Olena Dobrovynska, endocrinologist of the Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, who added “The main thing is to go to the doctors on time to lose weight, are on diets and cannot reduce body weight. The reason may be Prediabetes."

 ¹ Ashraf, S., Tahir, A., Shabbir, A., Awais., M, Ali, A., Shahzadi, R., Ullah, S., Imtiaz, R., Hameed, S. (2023). Epidemiology of prediabetes and its diagnosis and treatment a review. Biol. Clin. Sci. Res. J., 2023: 615. doi: https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2023i1.615]

² Groups of ICD diagnoses E11 Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and R73 Increased blood glucose

³ Audit data of RxTest™ drug prescriptions Databases "Pharmxplorer Plus Rxtest" © Proxima Research International LLC, 2024." of drugs of groups D, FS, MC, C, CN in accordance with ICPC-2 E11 R73, increase from the first half of 2024 (Ukraine, 28 cities) to the first half of 2021 (Ukraine, 25 cities). Specialties: gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, therapists/family doctors, pediatricians, orthopedists/traumatologists.

⁴ The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): description of lifestyle intervention. NIH external linkDiabetes Care2002;25(12):2165‒2171.