Standard diabetes test glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) may mislead in diagnosis of type-2 diabetes in India’s population: experts
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Health policy & public health· Mains·
Why in news
Experts and a study in Lancet Regional Health argue that the HbA1c test may mislead type-2 diabetes diagnosis in India due to high prevalence of anemia and G6PD deficiency.
Background
The study published in Lancet Regional Health: Southeast Asia suggests a multiparametric approach for diabetes diagnosis in South Asia. Experts include Dr. Anoop Misra of Fortis C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes and Shashank Joshi of Joshi Clinic, Mumbai.
Facts for Prelims
- S&THbA1c: A standard test used for diagnosing and monitoring type-2 diabetes.
- FactG6PD deficiency and haemoglobinopathies are identified as factors that can mislead HbA1c results in the Indian population.
- S&TMultiparametric approach: Includes oral glucose tolerance tests, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and continuous glucose monitoring.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges in standardizing non-communicable disease diagnostics in India's diverse population and suggest a multiparametric framework for accurate healthcare delivery.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Diagnostic inaccuracy: High prevalence of anemia and G6PD deficiency confounding HbA1c results in South Asian phenotypes
- Clinical oversight: Need for integrating hematologic assessments with biochemical markers to prevent misdiagnosis
- Technological equity: Balancing the adoption of continuous glucose monitoring with rural healthcare accessibility
Keywords: Non-communicable diseases · Diagnostic accuracy · Multiparametric approach · Public health infrastructure · Epidemiological diversity
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.