India - Diabetic population bulging in Tirupur

R.Vimal Kumar

Tirupur: Another ‘World Diabetes Day’ has arrived. Gigantic explosion in the diabetic population in the knitwear cluster of Tirupur over the last decade is causing serious concern to the medical fraternity.

Medical sources told The Hindu that about 17 per cent of the urban population and six per cent of the rural population (i.e. those living in the suburbs) had been diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus, registering a 50 per cent increase during the period.

“The figures are expected to be doubled by 2015 if the trend continues similarly,” the sources said.

Tirupur Diabetic Centre consultant diabetologist Dr. K.R. Senthilnathan says: “All these statistics are just a tip of an iceberg since a very large section of society with diabetes and those on Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) state (i.e. borderline cases) remain undetected.”

Studies reveal that about 10 per cent of the population in the knitwear city are in the state of IGT, who are ‘potential’ diabetics of the future. Of all the diabetes cases identified, Type-II, which is non insulin-dependent, is found to be more common followed by Type-I and other varieties such as gestational diabetes, the studies disclose.

“Type-II diabetes in the city is getting ‘younger’ during the last few years as more number of people below the age of 40 are getting detected (with Type-II variety),” says Dr. Senthilnathan.

Deputy Director of Health Dr. V. Vijayalakshmi says: “Considering that 15 to 17 per cent of the antenatal mothers here are diabetic, there is a need for all women to undergo Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) during pregnancy for early detection of diabetes.”

Obesity, sedentary lifestyle and more importantly high levels of stress undergone by the working class owing to hectic pressures in the textile business are attributed as the causes for increase in the diabetic population.

Dr. Senthilnathan says: “The people should not get carried away by myths like consumption of bitter gourd will cure diabetes.