Interim results of first-ever global survey show people with type 2 diabetes underestimate their cardiovascular risk

• Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes¹
• 1 in 3 respondents considered themselves to be at low risk of (CVD)²
• 1 in 6 respondents had never discussed type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk with a healthcare professional²
• The Taking Diabetes to Heart global online survey for people with type 2 diabetes was presented at the IDF Congress 2017 in Abu Dhabi

December 6, 2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE ­- Today the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) presented the interim results of the first ever multi-country online survey on CVD risk awareness and knowledge among people living with type 2 diabetes, indicating low levels of awareness and limited dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals. The global survey - Taking Diabetes to Heart - developed in partnership with Novo Nordisk, runs until March 2018 and is open to all people with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes currently affects 425 million adults worldwide¹, with most cases being type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular disease, which includes stroke, coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease³, is the leading cause of disability and death in people with type 2 diabetes^1,4.

To date, 943 responses to the survey have been received from 32 countries and interim findings show that:

• 1 in 3 respondents living with type 2 diabetes consider their risk of CVD to be low²
• 26% of respondents had either never learned about CVD or received information on CVD several years following their type 2 diabetes diagnosis²
• 1 in 6 respondents had never discussed their type 2 diabetes and CVD risk with a healthcare professional²

"The interim results of Taking Diabetes to Heart reiterate the importance of raising awareness of the association between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease to promote prevention, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment to help reduce the current burden that the two conditions represent," said Dr Shaukat Sadikot, outgoing IDF President. "With the world facing an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, better understanding the link between these conditions is needed more than ever."

Taking Diabetes to Heart - www.idf.org/takingdiabetes2heart/survey - aims to gather insights on current gaps in education and CVD risk behaviour among people with type 2 diabetes, and to put in place advocacy and patient support strategies and tactics to improve health and wellbeing among populations.

"Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of disability and death among people living with type 2 diabetes. Too few individuals with diabetes are being informed by healthcare professionals of their cardiovascular risk and the impact that risk may have on their longevity and quality of life," said Alan Moses, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Novo Nordisk. "We encourage more people in the diabetes community to complete the Taking Diabetes to Heart survey to strengthen the global findings that will inform future efforts to help improve outcomes."

The results of Taking Diabetes to Heart will serve to define the actions that are required to improve the health outcomes of people with type 2 diabetes. The initiative will culminate in a comprehensive report with country-specific results and resources to help support knowledge and awareness of CVD among people with type 2 diabetes around the world.

For more information about Taking Diabetes to Heart, visit www.idf.org/takingdiabetes2heart. For more information about diabetes and CVD, visit www.idf.org/cvd

About the International Diabetes Federation

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over 230 national diabetes associations in 165 countries and territories. It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950. The Federation's activities aim to influence policy, increase public awareness and encourage health improvement, promote the exchange of high-quality information about diabetes, and provide education for people with diabetes and their healthcare providers. IDF is associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations and is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). www.idf.org.

Taking Diabetes to Heart - www.idf.org/takingdiabetes2heart - consists of an online survey available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, French, Filipino, Finnish, German, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili and Vietnamese. The survey will remain online until March 2018. Results from the survey will be used to inform policy and decision-making around this common and serious complication of diabetes.^2,3

Further information

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References

1.    International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th Edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. Available at: www.diabetesatlas.org
2.    International Diabetes Federation, 2017. Taking Diabetes to Heart - Global IDF survey on CVD risk awareness among people with diabetes. Available at: www.idf.org/takingdiabetes2heart
3.    International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2016. Available at: www.idf.org/cvd
4.    World Health Organization, editor. Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2009. 62p.