AAR Hospital screening uncovers high rates of undiagnosed diabetes

Nearly one third of the 122 people who attended a free Diabetes Awareness & Screening clinic at the AAR Hospital were found to have health conditions necessitating further medical investigation, despite being unaware of these issues.

During the camp on Saturday, August 24, AAR Hospital’s screening revealed that 39 individuals required additional medical tests, with 33 diagnosed as pre-diabetic or diabetic.

These individuals were given the option to register for treatment at the Kiambu Road-based hospital or any health facility of their choice.

Those diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes were advised to consult a physician. Additionally, two individuals were referred to a cardiologist, two to an ophthalmologist, and two to an ENT specialist.

“We also provided nutrition advice and diabetes health education to help manage their condition,” said Dr. Cynthia Omina, Head of Clinical Services at AAR Hospital.

The screening included free consultations with diabetologists, blood pressure check-ups, blood sugar testing, foot evaluations, and hearing tests.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar due to pancreas malfunctioning, which impairs insulin secretion.

Symptoms include frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme fatigue, rapid weight loss, blurry vision, and changes in appetite.

The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes among attendees reflects a recent study published by PubMed Central, which found that 52 percent of patients at primary health facilities in Nairobi had undiagnosed diabetes.

Delayed diagnosis of chronic conditions often leads to additional health complications and increased mortality.

The study also highlighted that risk factors such as excess weight, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles contribute significantly to the high incidence of diabetes.

Dr. Omina noted, “The rising cases of diabetes could be mitigated through lifestyle changes, particularly in urban areas.”

A STEPwise survey from 2015 found that over 88 percent of Kenyans have never had their blood sugar levels tested, contributing to late diagnoses of diabetes.

It is estimated that 3 out of 100 Kenyans currently have diabetes, with the prevalence expected to rise to 4.4 percent by 2035.

The increase is particularly notable among individuals under 60, primarily due to low screening rates.