• Regional medical gathering addresses the new cardiovascular (CV) disease outcome trials in type 2 diabetes management
• Healthcare professionals highlight simple approaches for individualized type 2 diabetes management
• Type 2 diabetes may double the risk of death  
• The relationship between diabetes and CV disease is complex; diabetes is a risk factor for CV disease and conditions such as high blood pressure and obesity, that are more common in people with diabetes, are also risk factors for CV disease 

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, 25 October, 2016:  Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, recently held a regional medical gathering in Dubai that aimed at highlighting clinical advances in bridging gaps between Type 2 diabetes management and CV diseases under the name “Regional Interchange in Type 2 Diabetes”. 

The medical event focused on providing a pragmatic approach on how treatment can be further simplified with the leading classes of current oral treatment options, and providing individualized approaches for type 2 diabetes management. International healthcare professionals from the MENA region and beyond noted during the event that cardiovascular disease is the underlying cause in over half of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes and is the principal cause of death.  

Conventional risk factors for CV disease underlie the growing global burden of non-communicable diseases.   Even when glucose levels are under control, it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. That's because people with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, may have the following conditions that contribute to their risk for developing CV diseases. 

Dr. Abdullah Shehab, Associate Professor of Medicine at the United Arab Emirates University, and the President of the Emirates Cardiac Society said, “According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2015, there are one million diabetes cases in the UAE. Reducing CV risk is an essential component of diabetes management. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are both associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk even in the absence of glucose intolerance. Moreover, completing the annual cycle of care can help achieve better outcomes for people with diabetes. Regular assessments can prevent complications and other adverse outcomes associated with the disease.”

Across the MENA region, 35.4 million people live with diabetes in 2015 and the number is expected to rise to 72.1 million by the year 2040.  People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke. When patients have both hypertension and diabetes, which is a common combination, the risk for cardiovascular disease doubles .  As per the WHO Multinational Study of Vascular Disease in Diabetes, cardiovascular disease was the most common underlying cause of death, accounting for 52% of deaths in type 2 diabetes. 

Dr. Aly Bernard Khalil, Consultant Endocrinologist, Thyroidologist at the Imperial College London Diabetes Center, Abu Dhabi, said, “The rapid change of lifestyle across the region has led to striking increased rates of type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle interventions and adherence to medications are central to disease prevention and management. However, the biggest concern remains that most people underestimate the complications associated with diabetes and their lasting effects on a person’s health and psyche. Physical activity is an important component to managing individuals’ type 2 diabetes’ treatment plan.” 

Furthermore, Karim El Alaoui, Boehringer Ingelheim’s Head of Human Pharma - Middle East, Turkey and Africa also said, “At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are proud to facilitate leading discussions across the region that focus on best practices in Type 2 Diabetes care and management. The only way diabetes can be brought under control is through the joint efforts and close collaboration of all the entities across the care continuum. We are guided by a clear determination to provide sustainable solutions that place patients at the core.”  

The Middle East, despite various awareness initiatives, still sees an alarming increase in diabetes incidences. A major public health concern, diabetes presents an even more profound threat as a large number continues to go undiagnosed.