High level of Distress Affect Women Diabetic patients than men in South India – a latest research study by MV Hospital for Diabetes and Prof M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram

High level of Distress Affect Women Diabetic patients than men in South India – a latest research study by MV Hospital for Diabetes and Prof M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram

§>> The Study reveals that 55% of women and 22.5% of men have Diabetic Related Distress

§>>  A Specialized Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Service [DSMES] dedicated for empowerment of patients to manage their diabetes themselves

§>> Launch of Healthy Mind in Diabetes Clinic for screening and Counselling diabetic patients

Chennai, 21st March 2019: MV Hospital for Diabetes and Prof M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram revealed its latest research study on Diabetes related distress among patients with Type 2 - diabetes in the International Journal of Psychology and Counseling, today. The study findings highlighted that women had high levels of distress in managing diabetes as compared to men in South India. Dr Vijay Viswanathan, Head and Chief Diabetologist, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Prof. M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram, Chennai formally launched Healthy Mind in Diabetes clinics and introduced the concept of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) in Chennai.

(L-R) Dr Vijay Viswanathan, Head and Chief Diabetologist, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and   

Ms. R. Madhuri Menon, Dean at the Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health

 Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases with about 65 million people affected in India and more than 400 million people worldwide. The emotional distress facing people with Type 2 – diabetes due to unrestricted lifestyle is growing rapidly. The recent research study conducted by M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Prof. M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram, Chennai revealed its assessment on diabetes related distress among patients with Type-2 diabetes in South India.

A cross-sectional study of 400 Type-2 Diabetes patients, both equal numbers of male and female participants aged between 25 – 65 years were included in this study. An assessment was conducted with Type-2 Diabetes using Diabetes Distress Scale-17 to observe its correlation with glycemic control and treatment modalities. The clinical interpreting score were fixed with <2.0 as little or no distress and ≥ 3.0 as high distress. The study findings highlighted that 55% of women had high levels of distress with mean score of 2.79 ± 1.52 as compared to 22.5% of men with 1.62 ± 0.83.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Vijay Viswanathan, Head and Chief Diabetologist, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Prof. M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram, Chennai said, “Type-2 Diabetes is now considered as the biggest life threatening disease. More people affected by Type-2 diabetes already have one or more complications like retinopathy, hypertension and erectile dysfunction. The Diabetes related Distress is considered as the emotional and behavioral changes caused by diabetes. Our research study aimed to access the prevalence of DRD among Type-2 diabetes patients and its relation to complications and treatment modalities. Therefore, it is important to recognize this neglected aspect of Diabetes Distress and provide them counseling and help them have good control of their diabetes and avoid prevent complications”

He further said, “To address this issue, MV Hospital for Diabetes, Royapuram has come forward start new initiatives at Royapuram, Adyar and Velachery centers. A Specialized Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Service [DSMES] dedicated for empowerment of patients will be done to manage their diabetes themselves by direct interaction and also through WhatsApp mobile application.”

The major initiative a Healthy Mind in Diabetes clinic was formally launched where all patients can be screened for Diabetes distress and to provide free counseling if required. These two new initiatives will help people in Chennai to achieve better control of their diabetes and prevent the deadly Diabetic complications.