Putrajaya, April 24, 2024 – Here are some sobering facts about prediabetes. One-in-10¹ people with prediabetes are likely to develop full-blown diabetes within a year, while up to seven-in-10² may face the same outcome in 10 years. In the meantime, these individuals are already at risk of developing cardiovascular disease³, vision loss⁴, nerve damage⁵, and chronic kidney disease², even before diabetes has set in.

It has been estimated that about 3.5 million adults⁶ in Malaysia may have prediabetes. As there are usually no symptoms, most people are unaware of their condition. Furthermore, they are not likely to get tested for it.

**Yang Berhormat Dato’ Lukanisman Bin Awang Sauni,** Deputy Minister of Health, Malaysia delivering his keynote address.

Seeking to help the many who are affected, the ‘Stand Against Prediabetes; Don’t Sugarcoat It’ (SAPd) programme launched a major public health promotion campaign today officiated by YB Dato’ Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni, Deputy Minister of Health Malaysia.

Bearing the theme, ‘Check, Confirm, Consult, and Change’, it aims to educate and motivate the public to ascertain their personal risk, get tested, and work with healthcare professionals to manage prediabetes so as to reclaim their health.

The Stand Against Prediabetes Programme

**Dr Nurain Mohd Noor,** President of Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS) delivering the welcome speech.

According to Dr Nurain Mohd Noor, President of the Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS), the Stand Against Prediabetes (SAPd) programme began in 2022. She said, “MEMS initiated SAPd and invited the collaboration of seven other medical and allied health societies, as well as the involvement of Ministry of Health Malaysia.”

The societies include Malaysian Diabetes Educators Society (MDES), Malaysian Dietitians’ Association (MDA), Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists’ Association (FMSA), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS), National Heart Association Malaysia (NHAM), and The Chapter of Chemical Pathology & Metabolic Medicine, College of Pathologists, Academy of Medicine Malaysia (CPath AMM). SAPd is supported by Merck Malaysia.

Dr Nurain remarked that SAPd managed to attain several important achievements over the last two years. She explained, “First, we successfully promoted the adoption of standardised prediabetes blood glucose test values in over 200 private chain, independent and hospital laboratories, as well as over 2,000 government clinics and 100 government hospitals. Publishing these values in laboratory test reports will make it easier for healthcare professionals and their patients to ascertain the presence of prediabetes, if any.

“Second, we trained more than 2,000 healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dietitians to enhance their effectiveness in the management of prediabetes. We also published a clinical guide for their reference. For the public, we produced an educational website, booklet and pamphlet.

The 4Cs Campaign

**Emeritus Professor Dr Chan Siew Pheng,** Chairperson of the Stand Against Prediabetes Programme delivering a presentation on the SAPd 4Cs Campaign.

According to Emeritus Professor Dr Chan Siew Pheng, Chairperson of SAPd, prediabetes is manageable and reversible. This is the key message of the ‘Check, Confirm, Consult, and Change’ campaign launched today. So as to provide a better perspective on the four Cs, she shared some highlights from a prediabetes awareness survey conducted by the SAPd team in 2023 involving over 5,000 members of the public.

#1 CHECK Your Prediabetes Risk

76% had never been tested and were unsure whether they had prediabetes.
Yet, 40% of this group had the classical risk factors for prediabetes, namely, being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, and being physically inactive.

Professor Chan said, “Checking whether you are at risk for prediabetes is the first step. We encourage the public to take the online risk checker on SAPd’s website (https://standagainstprediabetes.my/check-your-risk). If the results show that you are at risk, please ask for a simple finger prick blood glucose test at your community pharmacy, private GP clinic, or government health clinic.”

By end-May, SAPd would have enlisted 700 community pharmacies nationwide to provide complimentary finger prick blood glucose tests, courtesy of Roche Diagnostics.

#2 CONFIRM the Presence of Prediabetes

60% of the survey respondents did not know the blood glucose range for prediabetes.

Professor Chan stressed, “A finger prick test cannot confirm whether you have prediabetes or not. So, if your results show a higher-than-normal blood glucose level, you will need to get a proper blood test from a laboratory, clinic or hospital.” Below are the different types of tests available and their respective values.

#3 CONSULT Your Healthcare Professional

According to the public survey, 35% of respondents were unsure or disagreed that prediabetes required treatment or intervention. There was general lack of awareness that prediabetes is serious but can be reversed.
Majority of respondents regarded healthcare professionals (doctors, followed by dietitians, nurses, and pharmacists), as trusted sources of information and advice about prediabetes.

Professor Chan remarked, “It can be upsetting if your blood test confirms you have prediabetes. You may feel unsure of what to do next. This is why it is important to seek the guidance and support of a healthcare professional. He or she will determine the best approach for you to manage prediabetes with lifestyle intervention and medication, if required. By attending follow-up visits, your healthcare professional will be able to monitor your progress and keep motivating you to achieve the results you desire.”

#4 CHANGE To Reclaim Your Health

There are five pillars of prediabetes management – losing excess body weight by eating a healthy diet; increasing physical activity and exercise; adopting healthy lifestyle habits (ie getting enough good quality sleep, managing stress, and quitting smoking, vaping, alcohol and other substance abuse); taking your medication as prescribed; and teaming up with healthcare professionals.

According to Professor Chan, people with prediabetes can obtain practical tips to effectively manage these changes by visiting the SAPd website (www.standagainstprediabetes.my). There, you can also download our e-booklet (https://standagainstprediabetes.my/static/sapd-booklet.pdf) that summarises the key recommendations contained on the website.

Professor Chan concluded, “With the right knowledge and support, individuals can take control of their health and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Small changes in lifestyle can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes.”

¹ Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. N Engl J Med. 2002. 346;6:393-403

² Nathan, D. M., Davidson, M. B., DeFronzo, R. A., Heine, R. J., Henry, R. R., Pratley, R., Zinman, B., & American Diabetes Association (2007). Impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance: implications for care. Diabetes care, 30(3), 753–759. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc07-9920

³ Ministry of Health Malaysia. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (6th edition) 2020.

⁴ Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Diabet Med. 2007 Feb;24(2):137-44.

⁵ Brannick, et al. Experimental Biology and Medicine 2016. 241: 1323–1331.c

⁶ https://www.diabetesatlas.org/data/en/country/120/my.html

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