Diabetic Neuropathy Risk Early Detection By Using Neurometers

Photo: Doc. P&G Health

JAKARTA - In Indonesia, the number of people with diabetes continues to increase from 10.7 million in 2019 to 19.5 million in 2021, up from seventh to fifth place for the highest number of diabetics in the world. People with diabetes generally also experience diabetic neuropathy, namely edge nerve damage which is characterized by symptoms such as embezzling, lethargic, to hot or burning sensations. This is in line with data explaining that 50 percent of people with diabetes (1 out of 2 diabetic patients) suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy 2 which is one of the factors that interferes with their quality of life. In commemoration of National Health Day on November 12, 2022 and World Diabetes Day which falls on November 14, 2022, P&G Health Indonesia through the Neurobion brand, continues its education on neuropathy by launching a campaign “ Free Life Without Wage and Soreness ” and the latest breakthrough, Neurometer, is the first neuropathy risk assessment application in Indonesia. This activity is supported by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian Endocrinology Association (PERKENI). According to the 10th edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Atlas, currently at least 1 in 10 people or as many as 537 million people in the world live with diabetes. If there is no intervention, this figure is projected to increase, reaching 643 million by 2030 and 784 million by 2045.1 General Manager of Personal Healthcare, P&G Health Indonesia, Maithreyi Jagannathan said, P&G Health, through the Neurobion brand, has committed to increasing public understanding of peripheral neuropathy and the importance of maintaining neural health for more than 1 decade. Diabetes is the main cause of peripheral neuropathy where the increase in the number of people with peripheral neuropathy is in line with the increasing number of people with diabetes. "As a partner of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), P&G Health is committed to supporting the Government of Indonesia to improve understanding of diabetes and its complications including peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage. And as part of this effort, in the context of World Diabetes Day, we launched a campaign “ Free Free Hidup without Wage and Squireness ” and introduced the first neuropathy risk assessment application in Indonesia, NEUROMETER, which can provide information and early detection tools that are easy to use to support the rapid handling of peripheral neuropathy," he said in Jakarta, Wednesday 9 November. Head of the Mellitus Diabetes Working Team, Directorate of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (P2PTM) of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, dr. Esti Widiastuti M, MScPH said, the increase in the number of people with diabetes is very concerning. For this reason, the Government seeks to control diabetes as well as comorbidities, such as diabetic neuropathy. In diabetic neuropathy, the government in collaboration with professional organizations has prepared treatment efforts to reduce pain due to diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy is often causes complaints not only physically, but also affects the mood and quality of life of diabetics. "The chronic series can even lead to depression complaints. With this utilization, it is hoped that it can help improve people's quality of life with diabetes. We appreciate the P&G Health initiative for its continuous commitment to increasing public awareness with neuropathy and nervous health education in general, as well as the importance of early detection that can be accessed with the NEUROMETER application to assess the level of neuropathy risk," explained Esti. The General Secretary of the Indonesian Endocrinological Association (PERKENI), DR. Dr. Wismandari, SpPD, K-EMD explained, diabetes is a chronic disease (chronic) in the form of metabolic disorders characterized by blood sugar levels that exceed the normal limit. The current problem related to diabetes is that most (about 3 of the 4 people) diabetics do not realize that they suffer from diabetes and lack of awareness of periodic control. People with diabetes have the risk of complications such as stroke,tender heart disease, peripheral arteries, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy. The complications of diabetes, in addition to being able to cause death, can also reduce the quality of life, for example diabetic neuropathy disorders that can make sufferers not aware of any injuries to their bodies. Therefore, people with diabetes must regularly consult or control the doctor, comply with the recommendations given by the doctor and carry out early detection of the risk of comorbidities," said Wismandari. As for Indonesia's Personal Healthcare P&G Health Brand Director, Anie Rachmayani said, the campaign “ Free Life Without Wage and Squireness ” consists of various activities such as seminars, the implementation of Neuropathy Check Point at 8 points in Jakarta and its surroundings, and lay education through social media and the launch of Neurometers, the first neuropathy risk assessment application in Indonesia, which can be accessed via the Neurobion Instagram account, namely @Neurobionid. Neurometer contains several questions that can assess a person's risk to neuropathy. This web-based application is not an independent diagnostic tool and does not replace a medical diagnosis. However, the results of this risk assessment can help to be able to consult a doctor further.