MEDIA RELEASE
14 NOVEMBER 2014
No of Pages: 3
WORLD DIABETES DAY
In joining the world to observe World Diabetes Day, which seeks to raise awareness about this deadly
disease, WSU looks back with pride at the pertinent research undertaken by WSU academic, chemical
pathologist Prof Ernesto Blanco-Blanco.
It was during a Professional Inaugural Lecture in Mthatha that Blanco-Blanco tried to offer solutions
to this disease.
Many factors contribute to prevalence of diabetes in former Transkei
A 20-year study by a Walter Sisulu University Professor into the effects of diabetes in former Transkei
has revealed that one of the most common misconceptions in the African culture can lead to dire
consequences.
Chemical pathologist and head of WSU’s chemical pathology department, Prof Ernesto Virgilio BlancoBlanco made the observation during his Professional Inaugural Lecture held in Mthatha earlier this
week.
Blanco-Blanco claims that in the African environment, the most common risk emerging from cultural
expression is the misconception related to the popular belief that obesity reflects gracious living.
“This is a dangerous notion because it can lead to the misperception that obesity is also a sign of
excellent health, something we now know not to be true. In fact, this can have dire consequences,”
said Blanco-Blanco.
His journey into the depths of the former Transkei over the past two decades saw him researching,
amongst other things, the risk factors regarding diabetes in the region.
Family history in type 2 black South African diabetic patients was one of the more
important factors looked at.
In order to achieve this, Blanco-Blanco created two groups of Xhosa subjects – a patient group made
up of type 2 attending the diabetic clinic at the Mthatha General Hospital between 96’ and 98’, and a
control group which included healthy subjects recruited from the region. The occurrences of positive
family history between the groups were compared. Results suggested that type 2 diabetes has a
strong genetic component in black South African diabetics with a predominant tendency to the
maternal aggregation. Diabetics with a positive family history were found to have an earlier age of
onset of diabetes than the rest.
…more…
This meant that the strong genetic component for diabetes in type 2 in black South Africans provides
evidence of the risk associated with family history.
Another aspect explored was the control and prevention of diabetic complications in the
region.
An assessment of high blood sugar control in stable type 2 black South African diabetics attending a
peri-urban clinic was conducted.
The biochemical determination of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was used to assess the longterm high blood sugar control. HbA1c values lower than 7% were considered as ‘attaining the target
for control’, between 7,1 and 8,9% was considered ‘acceptable’ whilst anything above 8,9% was
‘poor’.
The results showed poor high blood sugar control in the majority of the diabetics irrespective of
gender, obesity, educational status, having or not received dietary counselling. Only 20% reached the
target for glycaemic control.
Close to 80% of the patients were found to be obese, but didn’t show any dependence with the
glycaemic control. The need for a healthier lifestyle was identified.
Blanco-Blanco recommended continuous auditing be implemented to further evaluate attainment of
glycaemic control.
A close eye was also cast on the standards of care for diabetic patients at peri-urban
hospitals.
Evaluations of standards of diabetic care provided at Mthatha General Hospital (MGH) were assessed.
It was found that only 43% of the 23 recommended standards for the process of care, and the
outcome of care, were fully implemented.
The identification of the suboptimal standards of medical care for diabetic patients served to
understand the problems faced by the clinic and to propose a specific strategy for improvement.
Furthermore, the dietary patterns of the patients attending a tertiary care clinic in the
region were assessed.
This study aimed to investigate the variety of foods regularly eaten by the diabetic patients in an
attempt to identify potential sources of inappropriate glycaemic control and association with increased
obesity and glycaemic control.
Randomly selected participants, 62% living in rural areas and 38% from the township were
interviewed for food frequency patterns.
Results showed that the food types most regularly consumed were starchy foods. Foods eaten in
moderate quantities were isgwampa, umbona, umqa, and amagwinya. Foods that were not eaten
frequently were oats, legumes, cereals and pasta, whilst consumption of vegetables was variable.
Also, about half the patients used animal fat for cooking.
Results suggested that poor diet control could be at least to some extent contributing to poor
glycasemic control reported on those patients.
…more…
Blanco-Blanco recommended further investigation of the nutritional analysis and food proportions in
conjunction with the pattern of physical activity.
His research also delved into the human and social, as well as the economic
consequences of diabetes.
In terms of society, diabetes implies millions of people living with this chronic disease, with the
associated costs of therapy. The commonly faced economic disability, death and related financial
distress can cause family distress.
The disease can also have direct and indirect impacts on the economy, such as the cost of healthcare
services, and indirect costs such as productivity loss associated with the disorder.
Not one to bask too long in his own glory, Blanco-Blanco was quick to point out the many things the
South African government needs to pay careful attention tow with regards to diabetes, including; the
validity of estimates when it comes to statistics; the pattern of prevalence of diabetes for rural and
urban populations; the current prevalence of diabetes type 1; the current financial burden of
diabetes; as well as the current prevalence of diabetic complications.
In conclusion, Blanco-Blanco said the control of the burden of diabetes in South Africa requires
collaborative and coordinated action from different sectors; the three most prominent being the
health department, academic institutions and communities.
Ends.
Issued by:
Angela Church
Official Spokesperson
Tel: 082 371 2948/076 404 9924
achurch@wsu.ac.za