Almost 50% of Spaniards are unaware of the relationship between type 2 diabetes (DM2), obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD)risk factors that predispose to suffering from DM2. This is what the Population Perception of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Diseases survey, promoted by AstraZeneca on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, celebrated every November 14.
Diabetes is a chronic pathology that affects 10.3% of the adult population in Spain, or more than five million people. In the majority of cases (more than 90%) it is DM2. Despite these figures, 61.5% of those surveyed consider that the number of people with diabetes in Spain is lower.
The population’s knowledge of the pathology, across all age groups, comes mainly (64%) from family members or loved ones who suffer from it. Surprisingly, the second source of information, although distant, is the family doctor, with 20%. Regarding symptoms, the majority associate type 2 diabetes with fatigue (63.9%) and constant thirst (62.3%).
Other relevant data provided by the study are related to obesity: nine million people suffer from it in Spain, but 71% of those surveyed believe that this figure is lower. Regarding his relationship with DM2, The study reveals that three out of four people identify obesity as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, although only 46.6% of respondents believe that it can also influence the onset of CKD.
The relationship between obesity, diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Regarding the results of the study, Dr. Francisco Javier Escalada, director of the Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition of the Clinic of the University of Navarra, emphasizes that “it is important to explain to the population the link between the three pathologies, so that they fully understand the consequences of suffering from one of them. In obesity, excess body fat causes invisible inflammation that typically induces resistance to insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that signals cells to release glucose from the body. the blood. In insulin resistance, the insulin response the hormone is not suitableand our body, especially the pancreas, produces and releases more and more insulin in order to keep sugar levels within the normal range. The expert adds: “Over time, this overproduction depletes the pancreas’ ability to release insulin, which can cause hyperglycemia and the development of DM2.”
Returning to the survey, a large majority of respondents (~83%) are unaware that the number of patients with CKD is so high: one in seven adults in Spain suffers from it.
Concerning diabetes, 54.5% of those questioned consider that being diabetic increases the risk of suffering from CKD. 42.1% associate the MRC with a cardiovascular diseases, and more than 30% associate it with being between 45 and 64 years old (36.2%). By age group, the youngest (18 to 24 years old) more associate CKD (51.7%) with suffering or having suffered from cardiovascular disease.
T2DM can damage the kidneys through different mechanisms. The best known is kidney deterioration caused by poor long-term blood sugar control, which can be avoided with proper diabetes control. In addition, people with diabetes often have other pathologies, such as hypertension, which also causes kidney damage and can lead to chronic kidney disease.
Concerning the appearance of CKD linked to obesity, it has been identified that excess adipose tissue secretes inflammatory substances that affect the kidneys. In addition, fat accumulated around the kidneys contributes to hypertensionone of the main risk factors for chronic kidney disease. The study shows that less than half of those surveyed (46.6%) identify obesity as a risk factor for CKD.
Actions to reduce the impact of these diseases
According to the survey, raising awareness among the population of the importance of a balanced diet (71.2%) and doing physical exercise (67.8%) are two of the main actions to promote to reduce the incidence of these diseases. These activities are most mentioned by women and the elderly. In the case of DM2 prevention, the percentages are even higher: 80.2% consider it essential to adopt a balanced diet, followed by frequent physical activity (79.1%).
Martha Morenodirector of AstraZeneca General Affairs and Market Accessemphasizes: “The objective that we are pursuing at AstraZeneca with initiatives such as this perception survey is to raise awareness among the population of the importance of cardio-renal and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, considered by WHO as the pandemic of the 21st century. “It is essential that the population understands the importance of prevention through healthy lifestyle habits and early diagnosis of CKD in order to be able to treat it in its early stages.”
