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Diabetes
Related Foot Amputation Rise To 50,000 A Year In India
India has the largest number of
diabetic patients in the world with latest figure crossing 33 million and out of
that as many as 50,000 patients losing their legs every year according to a
latest study made by Diabetic Foot Society of India.
Almost 50 per cent of these foot
amputations happen to patients belonging to the age group 35-45. In western
countries, the patients belong to 60+ years group.
Speaking on the occasion of World
Diabetics Day last month, Dr Arun Bal, president Diabetic Society of India,
said, "Around 50,000 people lose their foot in India in every year. That means
the same number of families is also suffering. The most shocking thing is this
happens during productive years of their life. This causes economic and
emotional burden on the patient, his family and the society. In developing
countries like India, it is estimated that foot problems may account for as much
as 40% of available healthcare resources."
Foot ulcer, which may culminate
in foot amputations, is the most common cause of admission to hospital for
people with diabetes. According to WHO studies, up to 70 per cent of all leg
amputations happen to people with diabetes. One in every six people with
diabetes will have a foot ulcer during their life time. Each year, 4 million
people worldwide get foot ulcer, the study states.
Worldwide the diabetes related
foot diseases also cause a significant economic problem. The direct cost of an
amputation associated with diabetic foot is estimated to be between US$30,000
and US$60,000. In every 30 seconds a leg is lost to diabetes somewhere in the
world, he informed.
Explaining the possible reasons
behind the increasing number of diabetics, he said, "Genetically, Indian are
prone to diabetes. Changing life styles, food habits, lack of exercise are the
major causes. In India, diabetes is found more in the age group below 50 years
against 60 years in the western world. 10 years back around 7 per cent of people
in urban areas were diabetic. Today it came to 13-14 per cent. The figure in
rural area is 6 per cent against 2 per cent."
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