What is Type 5 diabetes and why is it of concern in India?
Even as India grapples with its estimated 101 million cases of Type 2 diabetes, a new type of diabetes has recently hit the headlines – Type 5. At the International Diabetes Federation's meeting held recently, an announcement was made: a working group is to be formed to develop criteria and guidelines for Type 5 diabetes. Estimates indicate that this form of diabetes affects 25 million people across the world, primarily in Asia and Africa. Though this form of diabetes was first recorded over 75 years ago, there has been very little attention paid to it so far.
What is type 5 diabetes? Whom does it affect? What is its burden in India? And Do more resources need to be allocated to fighting it?
Guest: Prof Nihal Thomas, senior professor, department of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, Christian Medical College, Vellore and chair of the IDF Working Group
Host: Zubeda Hamid
Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.
Listen to more In Focus podcasts:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
What do you need to know about the Covid-19 spike in India?
What do you need to know about the Covid-19 spike in India? Yet again, we are talking about a virus we would much rather forget – Covid-19 is in the news with over 4,300 cases and over deaths as of June 4. New sub-variants, descendent from the Omicron lineage first reported at the end of 2021, are believed to be driving the spike in cases. So far however, a majority of the cases have been mild, with very few requiring hospitalisation, according to the government. Is Covid-19 here to stay? Do we have any reason to be concerned about the new variants? Do we need vaccines or booster shots again? And, what as individuals, can we do to stay safe? Guest: V. Ramasubramanian, consultant infectious diseases specialist, Apollo Hospital, Chennai and medical director, Capstone Multispecialty Clinic, Chennai Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian. Listen to more In Focus podcasts:
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
How healthy are India's State legislatures?
India is a union of states — a structure enshrined in the Constitution that gives States a central role in legislating critical areas like health, agriculture, and public order. But how well are India's State Assemblies functioning? A new report by PRS Legislative Research that examines how 31 State Assemblies performed in 2024 has found that States passed over 500 Bills, yet most Assemblies met for just 20 days and spent around 100 hours in session. Many laws were cleared on the very day they were introduced, and States issued 100 ordinances in total. What does this say about legislative scrutiny, accountability, and the democratic process at the state level? Guest: Niranjana S Menon, a Senior Analyst at PRS Legislative Research. Host: Nivedita V. Edited by Jude Francis Weston For more In Focus episodes:
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Evolution of kidney care: Past lessons, present innovation towards a hopeful future
Evolution of kidney care Past lessons, present innovation towards a hopeful future Kidney disease has long stood as a silent threat—one that quietly erodes health until its effects are irreversible. Among its many forms, chronic kidney failure remains particularly severe. It's important to reflect on how far we've come, the challenges that remain, and the promise the future holds. The past: From hopelessness to hope A century ago, the diagnosis of chronic kidney failure was tantamount to a death sentence. There were no effective treatments, no dialysis, and little understanding of disease progression. Early attempts at dialysis in the 1920s were primitive—massive and complex machines with limited impact and frequent complications. Most patients slipped away quietly, undiagnosed and untreated. The 1950s brought a glimmer of hope. The first kidney transplants—fraught with the dangers of immune rejection—eventually gave way to success, beginning with a landmark 1954 transplant between identical twins. Over time, medical science developed ways to tame the immune system with anti-rejection medications, transforming kidney transplantation from an experimental procedure into a viable, lifesaving therapy. India reached its own milestone in 1971, with the first successful transplant performed at Christian Medical College, Vellore, ushering in a new era of domestic nephrology care. The present: Precision, progress, and accessibility Today, the field of nephrology is a testament to scientific progress. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) no longer hides in the shadows; awareness is growing, diagnostics are improving, and treatments are more accessible than ever. In India alone, an estimated 10–12% of the population lives with some form of kidney disease. The root cause of this- Diabetes—a condition affecting over 77 million Indians, with nearly half already showing signs of kidney damage. Advancements in diagnostic tools—from routine ultrasounds to precise kidney biopsies—allow for earlier detection and intervention. Pharmaceutical breakthroughs, including SGLT2 inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and newer agents like finerenone, are helping clinicians slow the progression of disease and safeguard kidney function. When kidney failure becomes advanced, life does not have to stop. Innovations in dialysis—whether hospital-based or increasingly at home—offer patients a chance at stability and quality of life. Transplantation, once considered a last resort, now stands as a symbol of medical triumph. With decades of research yielding better immunosuppressive drugs and surgical precision, transplant survival rates have improved significantly. From laparoscopic procedures to more refined HLA-matching protocols, the outcomes today are better than ever. Even procedures once thought impossible—transplants across incompatible blood types, combined liver-kidney operations, and pancreas-kidney transplants for diabetic patients—are becoming increasingly common. The future: Toward artificial organs and regenerative breakthroughs Looking forward, the horizon of kidney care is expanding with promise. Scientists are pushing boundaries with novel therapeutics aimed at halting kidney decline earlier and more effectively than ever before. Recently, Zydus Lifesciences also conducted a campaign #LifeKaFilter that revolves around the importance of kidney health. The campaign highlighted various issues including how dialysis and transplants are lifesavers, but prevention is always better. Also, highlighted the government schemes that can ease the burden of kidney treatment costs. Researchers are exploring portable and wearable dialysis devices, which may soon enable patients to achieve even greater independence, offering freedom from the rigid schedules and physical toll of traditional dialysis. Perhaps the most revolutionary prospect lies in xenotransplantation—transplanting genetically engineered animal kidneys, typically from pigs, into humans. Though still in the realm of clinical trials, these experiments hint at a future where organ shortages may no longer be the bottleneck they are today. We are entering a golden era in nephrology, where technology, science, and access are converging to make what was once a life-threatening disease highly manageable, even curable. Author: Dr. Siddharth Mavani, Director, Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Marengo CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad The above is non-editorial content and TIL does not guarantee, vouch or endorse any of it. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
