Asia PR News

Sydney, Feb. 28 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ –

A new finding, from the Asia-Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration (APCSC) and
published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that up to
12% of cardiovascular deaths in the region (heart disease and stroke) are due
to diabetes.

Given that in the year 2000 an estimated 83 million people in the Asia-Pacific
region were living with type 2 diabetes, representing almost half of the 171
million people with diabetes worldwide, these findings highlight the huge
impact that diabetes prevention and awareness campaigns could have in the
area. In Australia alone, diabetes is responsible for 4,000 fatal heart
attacks and strokes each year. In India, which has the largest number of
individuals with diabetes, more than 150,000 cardiovascular deaths are due to
diabetes and in China, 70,000 cardiovascular deaths are due to diabetes.

Dr Alexandra Martiniuk, at The George Institute for International Health (which
acts as the APCSC Secretariat) said, “This study from the APCSC demonstrates
that diabetes is causing more deaths than previously realised. Our research
has shown the reduction in deaths from heart disease and stroke that could be
achieved if diabetes is accurately measured, monitored and controlled in this
region.”

APCSC researchers found that the fraction of deaths from heart disease, as a
result of diabetes, reached up to 12% in certain countries (Tonga). High
levels were also found in South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand (over 8%). The
study also showed that diabetes causes a high percentage of stroke-related
deaths (both haemorrhagic and ischaemic) in Tonga (12%), South Korea and Hong
Kong (8%)

Researchers used recent data on diabetes from more than half a million adult
participants in the APCSC to determine the risks for heart disease and stroke
attributable to diabetes. The APCSC is the largest-ever partnership and study
of cardiovascular disease in the Asian region. Project partners include many
medical institutions across the Asia Pacific region. The collaboration’s
primary goal is to provide direct, reliable evidence about the determinants of
stroke, coronary heart disease, and other common causes of death in
Asia-Pacific populations. It aims to produce region-, age- and gender-specific
estimates of the cardiovascular disease risks associated with blood pressure,
cholesterol, diabetes and other major risk factors.

This APCSC research project was funded by the National Health and Medical
Research Council, Australia, an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
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Media enquiries:
Australia
The George Institute for International Health
Emma Orpilla
Public Affairs Officer
Tel (+61 2) 9993 4592
Fax (+61 2) 9993 4501
Mobile (+61) 10 411 983
Email: eorpilla@thegeorgeinstitute.org
Web: www.thegeorgeinstitute.org

Asia
Prof TH Lam,
School of Public Health
Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Tel 852-2819-9287; c/o Mr Terence Poon, 852-2819-9305, 852-9316-6267

SOURCE: The George Institute for International Health