This study from Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Center In the usual care scenario, for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus(DM) & associated illnesses, periodic lab evaluations are carried out either in a laboratory or hospital. Life style illnesses being asymptomatic, patients hardly adhere to the instructions on periodic lab evaluation. This usually results in delay of early detection of diabetes complications & inadequate titration of existing drugs. This study from Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Center focused on assessing the acceptability of a home delivered evaluation of lab parameters and vital signs in DM & its role in treatment motivation.

Subjects were recruited based on random sampling technique from a specific locality. Anthropometric measurements including height and weight were obtained using standardized techniques. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS),Total Cholesterol(TC) & Blood Pressure (BP) were measured using calibrated equipments. Self reported subjects with diabetes and those with unknown status were administered the ‘Diabetes Questionnaire’ and ‘General Questionnaire’ respectively.

A total of 176 subjects were screened for the study. 52 were already known diabetes patients. BP levels of ≥140/90 and ≥130/80 mmHg were considered abnormal for non-diabetic & diabetic individuals respectively. The levels of FBS >110 for diabetes &>126 mg/dl in those with unknown status were considered abnormal. TC of >200 mg/dl was considered abnormal for both groups.

Among subjects with known diabetes who were on “regular” treatment, 73% had BP >130/80 mmHg, 92% had FBS >110 mg/dl & 41% had TC >200 mg/dl. Even in subjects who considered themselves healthy, there was a significant percentage with abnormal levels of BP, TC & FBS.

Subjects admitted inconvenience & busy schedule as primary constraints which abstained them from visiting a lab or hospital. Home delivered evaluation of parameters not only exposes potential hazards but also motivates them of importance of intensively treating lifestyle diseases. Patients & family members expressed the hope of establishing a home delivered diabetes evaluation program which they believed will help realize requirement of timely intervention; lifestyle illnesses being totally asymptomatic over several years.