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Wednesday 7 March 2012

Diabetes amputation rates show huge regional variation !

Amputation rates for diabetes patients are 10 times higher in some parts of England than in others, according to a study.

Researchers say the figures highlight the importance of ensuring the right specialist care.

The findings coincide with an NHS report putting the annual cost of diabetes-related amputations at £120m.
Amputation rates in some areas are too high, says the Department of Health.

Prof Jeffcoate says a lot of health staff are not trained to recognise the risks of foot disease.

"Maybe it's just that people don't like feet. Maybe it's related to the fact that footcare tends to occur in an older population. But for whatever reason doctors and nurses have also never had specialist training in foot disease and so it means that they don't necessarily have the skills to assess a new condition when it arises."

Maybe the diet promoted by DUK and the NHS is a major factor. Maybe basing a diabetics diet on 40-60% carbohydrate could be raising blood sugar to dangerous levels. Maybe the people caring for diabetics may one day realise elevated blood sugar levels are the reason for diabetic complications. Maybe one day they will recommend a diet that leads to non diabetic blood glucose levels. Maybe one day the NHS can save a fortune on poorly performing and at times highly dangerous drugs. Maybe, maybe maybe.

Eddie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17270379

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even more intriguing is what the report dosnt actually say and that is where the anomalies are.

Usual Diabetes Phenomenon Shreik- Wail- Rant - Hands in Air etc etc.
BUT it dosnt actually get down to Brass tacks. Because if they did that as with some other factors this and other site know a lot about, they might in the fullness of time come to see what works and what dosnt. ............. they might !!

Anonymous said...

Post code lottery again I feel. Unfortunately it's not only us diabetics that have to endure this but many other illnesses.

Anonymous said...

I think I must agree with the previous comment made, it is like a post-code lottery, it shouldn't be but unfortunately it is and in these tough times I fear things can only get worse.