Breakthrough research shows kidney holds the key to managing Type 2 diabetes, reveals Kuwait medical symposium
A new treatment that centres on the kidney in managing Type 2 diabetes, and which has been approved in Europe and USA, has now been introduced in Kuwait. The highlights of the breakthrough development were discussed at a medical symposium held in Kuwait recently.
News of the innovative treatment comes at a time when nearly 17 million out of the 34.5 million people affected by diabetes in the MENA region are said to be undiagnosed and therefore are at considerable risk of diabetic complications. The figures were published in the 6th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas published by International Diabetes Federation (IDF). 1
Dr. Nabila Abdella Professor of Medicine - in Kuwait University Gulf said,Dr.waleed Al-dahi Consultant Endocrinology and Diabetes Mubarak Hospital and Dr.Magad Alsalah Head of Internal Medicine Mubarak Hospital: This should come as great news for Type 2 diabetics. With this discovery, medical science can be said to have achieved a breakthrough in the management of Type 2 diabetes with kidney as the focal point. We are delighted to announce that Forxiga the new treatment in managing type 2 diabetes is now available in the Kuwait, which demonstrates that the Kuwait remains at the forefront of accessibility to advanced healthcare.
Referring to the IDF report, Prof. Nabila , Dr.walid and DR.magda added: The report estimates the proportion of cases of undiagnosed diabetes based on population-based studies using either fasting blood glucose or oral glucose tolerance test, in a cross-sectional survey of people who were not earlier aware of their condition. The figure of undiagnosed cases of diabetes in the MENA Region is alarming and needs to be addressed at micro and macro levels.
The introduction of new oral treatment for managing Type 2 diabetes as Forxiga which is insulin Independent might change the way we treat patients in coming years. It spells good news for the advancement of healthcare globally and Kuwait, said Dr.Nabila.
Samer Al Hallaq, President, AstraZeneca Gulf, said: Millions of people in the Gulf are living with Type 2 diabetes due to a variety of factors. AstraZeneca is introducing a Robust Portfolio that includes three new classes in the NIAD (Non Insulin Anti-diabetic Market: DPP4, GLP-1& SGLT2) bringing innovation and scientific leadership that will benefit millions of diabetic patients across the globe, especially in the Gulf.
AstraZeneca Gulf has drawn up huge plans for its Diabetes Portfolio. The first in class SGLT-2 inhibitors was launched recently at this medical symposium in Kuwait.
Currently approved in more than 41 countries globally, the new treatment was the first SGLT2 inhibitor to gain regulatory approval to treat Type 2 diabetes in Europe in November 2012. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with Type 2 diabetes on 8 January 2014, supported by a robust clinical development programme consisting of 24 clinical studies evaluating safety and efficacy.
Al Hallaq added: The significance of this treatment is that it works independently of insulin to help remove excess glucose from the body. The discovery of the hitherto unknown role of the kidney in treating diabetes will offer patient a solution to reducing blood glucose, weight and blood pressure.
