Nabeea Junaid  ( Sanofi-Aventis Pakistan Limited, Karachi )

We really appreciate the comments of our valuable reader on our article “Prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan: Results of screendiabetes disease registry”, published on September 2018 issue of JPMA. The main objective of this research was to determine the burden of undiagnosed DM in urban settlements of Pakistan. This study emphasized the significance of
blood sugar level screening, as a part of a routinemedical checkupofthe middle-aged and elderly population. Results of the study proposed drastic changes in blood sugar profile of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, who strictly adhered with the proposed treatment, along with a competent adaptation of lifestyle modification practices¹² In high-risk individuals, prompt actions need to be taken earlier in life in the form of lifestyle modification (like exercises and healthy eating habits) can not only decrease the chance of occurrence of disease inadulthood but also reduces financial burdens related to the disease complications. To further our reviewer comments, gestational diabetes is not just associated with increased risk(10 fold) o T2DM in women later³⁴. Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes and adequate control by taking necessary medications, healthy diet and exercises act as a pivotal, to prevent the incidence of T2DM in mother and child.

Disclaimer: None to declare.
Conflict of Interest: None to declare.
Funding Disclosure: Sanofi Aventis Pakistan.

References

1. Mehmood K, Junaid N. Prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan: Results of screen-diabetes disease registry. J Pak Med Assoc.2018;68:1171-78
2. Bjerregaard LG, Jensen BW, Ängquist L, Osler M, Sørensen TI, Baker JL. Change in overweight from childhood to early adulthood and the risk of type 2 diabetes. NEJM. 2018; 378:1302- 12.
3. Herath H, Herath R, Wickremasinghe R. Gestational diabetes mellitus and risk of type 2 diabetes 10 years after the index pregnancy in Sri Lankan women—acommunity-based retrospective cohort study. PloS one. 2017 Jun 23; 12:e0179647.
4. Dabelea D. The predisposition to obesity and diabetes in offspring of diabetic mothers. Diabetes Care.2007; 30(Supplement 2):S169-74.