First Canadian survey of its kind - People living with type 2 diabetes and treating physicians raise concerns, is Canada ready for the next epidemic?

    MONTREAL, July 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Insight into Canadians Living with
Type 2 Diabetes is the first survey of its kind to be conducted specifically
among people living with type 2 diabetes and treating physicians. Results show
that people with type 2 diabetes have daily difficulties with their disease
management and physicians are concerned about the lack of resources for their
patients.
    "We are facing an epidemic of type 2 diabetes, it is one of the fastest
growing chronic diseases," said Marc Aras, Director of Communications with
Diabetes Québec. "The more insight we gain about how diabetes impacts the
people living with it, the better armed we will be as a society to help them
manage and control it."

    Awareness, education and control needed

    Everyone surveyed with type 2 diabetes was aware that their disease could
lead to complications such as cardiac problems, amputations and dialysis.
However, most (63 per cent) were not personally very worried about
complications.
    Findings showed that among those people with type 2 diabetes surveyed:

    - Over half (55 per cent) did not know what their target HbA1c level
      should be (average blood sugar control over three months);
        - The Canadian Diabetes Association's recommended HbA1c goal level
          is 7 per cent;
    - Two in three (65 per cent) said they were somewhat/not very or not at
      all knowledgeable about their disease;
    - One in two (47 per cent) said their blood glucose was not controlled;
    - For those taking oral medications, the most important side effects
      experienced were weight gain, diarrhea, gas/bloating and other stomach
      problems.

    "Type 2 diabetes is a serious public health issue especially as our
population ages," said Philippe Markon a spokesperson for Active Living
Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA). "It's so important to stay active and fit
weight gain becomes an added burden for older people living with type 2
diabetes who then have a much greater difficulty keeping active. The
cornerstones for empowering these people are awareness, education and support
to encourage them in making healthy lifestyle choices."

    Daily difficulty with disease management

    "There's no question that managing type 2 diabetes takes an important toll
on everyday activities," said Dr. Roxane Néron a general practitioner and
spokesperson for ACTI-MENU. "Physicians recommend lifestyle changes, such as
diet and exercise, which are essential for controlling type 2 diabetes,
especially when certain diabetes medications may actually cause weight gain."

    According to the survey conducted with 500 Canadians living with type 2
diabetes, most (78 per cent) said that type 2 diabetes has changed their daily
lives. The survey found that of these:

    - Most (81 per cent) had to be careful about the food and drink they
      have;
    - Two in three (63 per cent) have difficulty following a diet recommended
      by their health care professional;
    - One in two (51 per cent) reported they did not manage to be physically
      active as recommended by their health care professional;
    - Over half (56 per cent) said that diabetes has impacted the lives of
      their family and friends;
    - More than half (51 per cent) said it made them feel tired;
    - One in four (25 per cent) said it made them feel depressed;
    - One in three (31 per cent) said their sex life had been affected;
    - More than half (57 per cent) did not take or forgot to take some of
      their medications, or did not follow their dosing schedule as
      recommended by their physician.

    "People who have type 2 diabetes are usually also being treated for other
conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol," said Dr.
Jean-Marie Ekoé, Epidemiologist and President of the Diabetes Québec
Professional Council. "On average the survey showed they are prescribed five
medications to effectively manage all their conditions; which is approximately
eight pills daily."

    Physicians are concerned about lack of resources

    Insight into Canadians Living with Type 2 Diabetes also surveyed 200
physicians (160 GPs and 40 specialists) who treat people living with type 2
diabetes. Results showed that most physicians are concerned about the lack of
resources for their type 2 diabetes patients and that limited access to
medications influences physician prescribing behaviours as patients covered by
public insurance do not get the same standard of care as patients covered by
private insurance. In summary, findings showed that:

    - Two-thirds of physicians (66 per cent GPs, 67 per cent specialists)
      would like to spend more time with their patients, mainly to better
      educate them on diabetes:
        - This is important since most patients (84 per cent) consult their
          physician for information on diabetes.
    - Most physicians (63 per cent GPs, 57 per cent specialists) are worried
      about not being able to refer their type 2 diabetes patients to health
      care professionals who will provide them with knowledge about their
      disease (e.g. diabetes nurse educators, dieticians);
    - The majority of physicians (79 per cent GPs, 92 per cent specialists)
      believe that provincial governments and the medical community should
      improve their support of people with type 2 diabetes;
    - Most physicians (77 per cent GPs, 90 per cent specialists) prescribe
      different medications to diabetes patients depending upon their type
      of insurance coverage;
    - Most physicians (79 per cent, GPs, 89 per cent specialists) are worried
      that new medications will not be covered by provincial formularies,
      thereby limiting their ability to properly treat their patients.

    "Everyone living with type 2 diabetes should have access to the best
treatment options available regardless of their insurance status," said Holly
Vengroff, Director External Relations for CARP (Canada's Association for the
50Plus). "CARP strongly believes that quality health care is achieved through
patients, their physicians and pharmacists making prescribing choices
together, not through a government bureaucracy restricting access and choice
of medications."

    Survey details

    Insight into Canadians Living with Type 2 Diabetes is a nationwide survey
conducted by P\S\L Research Canada in February 2007. Results were obtained by
means of a Web survey completed by 500 people living with type 2 diabetes and
200 treating physicians (160 GPs, 40 specialists). With a sample of this size,
the results are considered accurate to within + 4 percentage points, 19 times
out of 20 for people living with type 2 diabetes; + 8 percentage points, 19
times out of 20 for GPs and + 14 percentage points, 19 times out of 20 for
specialists.

    Survey partners are: CARP (Canada's Association for the 50Plus), Diabetes
Québec, Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA), ACTI-MENU and Merck
Frosst Canada Ltd. The survey was funded by Merck Frosst Canada Ltd.

For further information: or to speak with a medical expert or someone
living with type 2 diabetes: Melissa Maloul, Cohn & Wolfe - Montreal, (514)
845-2257 ext. 228; Kyle Rooks, Cohn & Wolfe - Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver,
Halifax, (416) 924-5700 ext. 4098