1.Management of prediabetes in Malaysian population: An experts’ opinion
Mafauzy Mohamed ; Ee Ming Khoo ; Zanariah Hussein ; Nor Shaffinaz Yusoff Azmi ; Guan Jian Siah ; Feisul Idzwan Mustapha ; Noor Lita Adam ; Azhari Rosman ; Beng Tian Lee ; Siew Hui Foo ; Nagammai Thiagarajan ; Nik Mazlina Mohammad ; Kevin Moses ; Hannah Loke
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(4):419-427
Introduction: Prediabetes, typically defined as blood glucose
levels above normal but below diabetes thresholds, denotes a
risk state that confers a high chance of developing diabetes.
Asians, particularly the Southeast Asian population, may have
a higher genetic predisposition to diabetes and increased
exposure to environmental and social risk factors. Malaysia
alone was home to 3.4 million people with diabetes in 2017; the
figure is estimated to reach 6.1 million by 2045. Developing
strategies for early interventions to treat prediabetes and
preventing the development of overt diabetes and subsequent
cardiovascular and microvascular complications are therefore
important.
Methods: An expert panel comprising regional experts was
convened in Kuala Lumpur, for a one-day meeting, to develop
a document on prediabetes management in Malaysia. The
expert panel comprised renowned subject-matter experts and
specialists in diabetes and endocrinology, primary-care
physicians, as well as academicians with relevant expertise.
Results: Fifteen key clinical statements were proposed. The
expert panel reached agreements on several important issues
related to the management of prediabetes providing
recommendations on the screening, diagnosis, lifestyle and
pharmacological management of prediabetes. The expert panel
also proposed changes in forthcoming clinical practice
guidelines and suggested that the government should advocate
early screening, detection, and intensive management of
prediabetes.
Conclusion: This document provides a comprehensive
approach to the management of prediabetes in Malaysia in
their daily activities and offer help in improving government
policies and the decision-making process.