A recent nationwide study highlights significant gaps in diabetes management in Sri Lanka, with only one in five patients achieving optimal blood sugar control despite high rates of testing and diagnosis.
Robust Testing and Diagnosis
The Sri Lanka Health and Ageing Study (SLHAS) from 2018-2019 revealed that 86% of individuals with diabetes underwent testing, and 62.3% received a formal diagnosis. Awareness among patients stood at 58.6%, indicating that more than half of those affected are informed about their condition.
Challenges in Achieving Glycemic Control
Despite the high rates of testing and diagnosis, only 20.6% of patients maintained hemoglobin A1c levels below 8.0%, and a mere 12.4% achieved levels below 7.0%. This stark contrast underscores significant shortcomings in the treatment and management phases of diabetes care.
- Older adults and individuals with hypertension show better outcomes across all care stages.
- Socioeconomic disparities favor the affluent in testing and treatment access, though control rates remain equitable.
- Minimal differences in diabetes control were observed across gender, education, location, and body mass index.
While Sri Lanka outperforms many low- and middle-income countries in testing and diagnosis, the drop-offs after treatment initiation indicate systemic weaknesses in sustaining effective diabetes management.
Enhancing diabetes control requires a strategic shift from merely diagnosing and treating to understanding the barriers that prevent patients from maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. This involves improving medication adherence, patient education, and access to comprehensive care.
Effective diabetes management not only improves individual health outcomes but also alleviates the broader socioeconomic burdens associated with chronic disease. Implementing targeted interventions to support patients post-diagnosis can bridge the gap between awareness and control, fostering a healthier population.
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