Pharmacists should screen for diabetes risk
Pharmacists are being encouraged to identify people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a consensus
statement published by the International Diabetes Federation.
The statement recommends using a simple check list for risk factors,
including central obesity, family history of diabetes, cardiovascular
history, diabetes during pregnancy and treatment with drugs known to
increase
diabetes, including glucocorticoids, beta-adrenergic antagonists and
thiazides.
People considered at high risk should then be advised to have their plasma
glucose level measured. Those confirmed to be at risk should be prioritised
for lifestyle interventions to prevent disease progression.
Shailen Rao, chairman of the Primary Care Pharmacists’ Association
and previously head of medicines management and diabetes lead at Hillingdon
Primary Care Trust, said: “Pharmacists are better placed than most
health care professionals for this type of screening because they are
based in the community and see many people who are not ill.” He
added that pharmacists should aim to provide a “full circle” approach
to diabetes care, supporting the medication needs of people already diagnosed
with diabetes as well as helping to find those at risk.
Sir George Alberti, national director for emergency access and the UK
representative on the consensus group, said: “This is one of the
greatest public health challenges of the 21st century.”
He added: “Pharmacists can play a major role in screening those
at risk.”
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