New findings presented at the EASD 2021

The European Association  for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) is a non-profit, medical scientific association. The EASD encourages  and  supports  research  in the field of Diabetes. It also seeks the rapid distribution of acquired knowledge to facilitate its application in real life.

The Virtual 5th EASD Annual Meeting was held from 28th September to 1s1 October 2021. More than 20,000 delegates comprised of clinical researchers, doctors, scientists and medical students joined in this virtual meeting.

Excerpts of the meeting:

Consensus on Type 1 Diabetes Management

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes have published a consensus for the management of Type 1 Diabetes.Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the insulin-producing cells are destroyed by the immune system. The consensus provides a complete guide 08 to Diabetes management intending to provide improved care, quality of life and longevity for people with Type 1 Diabetes. This includes information needed to arrive at correct diagnosis, self-management education, blood sugar monitoring, insulin therapy, hypoglycaemia management and management of mental health, alongwith Diabetes.

Socioeconomic status and Diabetes care

The socioeconomic status of people greatly impacts health and their risk of Type 2 Diabetes. People with low socioeconomic status have a high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes whereas people with Type 1 Diabetes tend to develop complications and reduced life expectancy.

Hypoglycaemia may lead to complications

Hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar levels may occur due to several reasons such as long periods of fasting, irregular medication etc. People with a history of 2 or 3 hypoglycaemia events have an increased risk of developing heart disease and disorders of the nervous system.

Maintaining blood sugar levels in the target range and treating hypoglycaemia are of utmost importance to avoid further consequences.

Stratified Diabetes management

People with Type 2 Diabetes. if checked closely. have varied health parameters in each case. but they are collectively termed as having Diabetes due to resultant high blood sugar levels. Monitoring body mass index (BMI) and kidney filtration rate and prescribing medication accordingly could help better manage their blood sugar levels. In people with BMI below 30 Kg/m2, sitagliptin showed positive outcomes whereas people with BMI 30 Kg/m2 or higher had beneficial outcomes from pioglitazone.

Good quality sleep is vital

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition in which people experience a repeated collapse in the upper airway passage, leading to snoring  and  breathing from the mouth. OSA may occur due to several factors including obesity. Adults with  Type  1 Diabetes who are overweight. have high  blood  pressure. and who smoke have a high risk of developing OSA. This could also increase their risk of developing heart disease. Managing body weight and lifestyle modification along with good blood sugar control are of utmost importance to avoid complications in Type 1 Diabetes.