According to World Health Organization, the number of people
having diabetes in Indonesia will jump drastically. If in the year 2000 there
were “only” 8,4 million patients, it is predicted that the number will rise to 21,3
patients in the year 2030.
This may happen if there are no serious efforts in preventing, treating, as
well as increasing the patients’ discipline in curing diabetes naturally or
with the help of medications. This makes the country to be the one with the
most diabetes patients after the U.S, China, and India.
Diabetes mellitus in Indonesia is currently a serious threat to the development
of health as well as national economic growth. The high rate of diabetes cases
is caused by unhealthy lifestyles, and because most patients do not get
immediate treatment after being diagnosed.
According to Basic Health Research, diabetes is at number 6 in the list of
death causes in all ages. While the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in big
cities is about 5,7%, there are 73% patients that are not diagnosed and not
getting the proper treatment. The control of this medical condition needs to be
done seriously and comprehensively.
The application can be done by the control of habits like smoking and physical activities. The officials at the Health Ministry are also increasing the capacity of health resources. Meanwhile there is a new method of treatment for diabetes.
This can be called as a new hope for millions of diabetics
in the world. With this new therapy, probably insulin shots are not required
anymore.
Research in the field of diabetes therapy is one of the most intensive. It is
because the number of people developing the medical condition is increasing
sharply every year. Research is generally focused on immunity intervention. Currently,
experts are finding what can prevent the attack of the body’s immune system to
cells that produce insulin.
Monoclonal antibodies is said to be able to protect the remaining beta cells from the attack to the immune system. The impact of the attack is that the need of regular insulin shots to regulate the levels of sugar in the body.
However, international studies have different results about this. For example, the use of Teplizumab can have different impacts. In diabetes type 1 patients at younger age, it gives positive results.
However, diabetics in Asia may not feel the impacts because generally the cause is different. Most diabetics in Asia have weight problems, while most in Europe have leaner body. Further research aims at clarifying the question of why not all people with type 1 diabetes can benefit from the various drugs that already exist.
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