On November 20, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Over 360 new cases of diabetes mellitus have been detected in the Vitebsk region within two weeks, Lyudmila Pedchenets, Chief Physician of the Vitebsk Regional Endocrinology Dispensary, told a BELTA correspondent. The republican campaign for early detection of diabetes mellitus was held in Belarus from November 1 to 14, in anticipation of World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated on November 14. During this period, over 7.3 thousand residents of the Vitebsk region were examined for this disease in medical institutions. An elevated glucose level – above 6.1 mmol/l, which practically suggests the presence of diabetes mellitus – was detected in 363 people, or 5% of those examined. Each of these individuals has been registered, and doctors have commenced individual work with them. Furthermore, after the full processing of the results obtained from the examination conducted in the region, patients at risk will be identified and will also be taken under medical supervision. Annually, about 4 thousand patients with diabetes mellitus are detected in the Vitebsk region. Currently, over 30 thousand people suffering from diabetes mellitus reside in the region, including about 190 children. The prevalence of this disease in 2010 was 2375 people per 100,000 population, and the primary incidence rate was 260 per 100,000 population. Over the 9 months of the current year, almost 2.7 thousand patients with diabetes mellitus have already been detected, including 72 with type 1 diabetes mellitus, of whom 21 are children and adolescents. To provide them with assistance in combating this ailment, 42 "Diabetes Schools" (40 outpatient and 2 inpatient) have been established and are successfully operating in the region, where about 7 thousand people are trained annually. -0-

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