One in four new cases of type 2 diabetes was missed by general practitioners last year despite the British piling on the pounds because of the lockdown.
The disease, which costs the NHS £ 10 billion annually, is closely related to obesity and poor lifestyle.
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A quarter of new cases of type 2 diabetes were overlooked by family doctors last year, despite the fact that the British had piled on the pounds because of the lockdownPhoto credit: Getty
Around 254,000 British people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in a normal year.
However, a study by the University of Manchester has shown that at least 60,000 cases have not been picked up since the Covid pandemic began.
It comes even though a fifth of adults have gained five or more pounds since the initial lockdown – which the number continues to increase with the disease.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body loses the ability to process sugar, mainly due to obesity.
It is a leading cause of blindness, amputation, stroke, and heart disease.
Experts warn of the sharp drop in diagnosis rates, which means the NHS is now facing a “large backlog” in patients.
Introducing the study at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference, researcher Matthew Carr said, “Our estimate of 60,000 missed or delayed diagnoses can be underestimated when changes in lifestyle during the pandemic and the associated lockdowns increase obesity rates or other risk factors for diabetes have increased in the general population.
“It is also likely that the condition of patients with late diagnosis has continued to deteriorate over time [they are diagnosed]This will inevitably add to the burden on both patients and healthcare providers. “
The study compared historical case rates and prescribing data with numbers from 2020.
Diagnoses fell by 70 percent in April last year when family doctor visits collapsed in the wake of the Covid crisis.
They then remained around a quarter below normal levels for the remainder of 2020.
The researchers also found that diabetics were up to 88 percent less likely to receive vital health checks than they were before the pandemic.
Nikki Joule of Diabetes UK charity said the numbers were “incredibly worrying”.
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Diabetes UK’s Nikki Joule said the numbers were “incredibly worrying”.Photo credit: @ nikkijoule / Twitter
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“These results suggest less healthcare engagement during the pandemic and underscore the urgent need to ensure that those previously identified by their GP at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes receive their annual check-ups “, she said.
“Early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is critical to reducing the risk of serious diabetes-related complications such as problems with the heart, kidneys and eyes.”
An NHS spokesman said: “Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable and the NHS has continued our diabetes prevention program as the pandemic progressed, taking additional measures to help people with diabetes, including digital consultations and online support for people to.” manage their terms. “
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