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Endocrinology

Type 2 Diabetes in Children: A Growing Concern in Asia-Pacific Region

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The international medical community gathered at the 30th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Paediatric & Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD 2004) in Singapore expressed concern over the growing problem of type 2 diabetes in children, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Professor Warren Lee, an expert on diabetes in Asia, emphasized the need for urgent action in primary prevention, early detection, and adequate treatment of diabetes mellitus in children. The availability of Glucophage (metformin), a foundation therapy for type 2 diabetes in adults, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in children has enhanced the ability to manage this challenging patient population.

Key Takeaways:

  • The problem of type 2 diabetes in children is particularly acute in the Asia-Pacific region, with urgent action needed for primary prevention, early detection, and adequate treatment.
  • Glucophage (metformin) is now available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in children, addressing the insulin resistance at the core of pediatric diabetes.
  • Professor John Nolan, consultant endocrinologist at St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, said that metformin addresses the insulin resistance at the core of pediatric diabetes, and this treatment is licensed for use after lifestyle intervention in children in both the European Union and the USA.
  • Glucophage has been used in the treatment of adult type 2 diabetes in Europe for more than four decades, and is the only agent with protection from life-threatening diabetic complications included in its prescribing information.
  • Guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes increasingly support the use of metformin as the first drug therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes.
  • Glucophage is now available for clinical use in children and adolescent patients with type 2 diabetes in both the U.S. and in Europe.

Statistics:

  • Type 2 diabetes in children is described as a "growing problem" by the international medical community.
  • Glucophage (metformin) has been used in the treatment of adult type 2 diabetes in Europe for more than four decades.
  • The randomized, double-blind clinical trial in children with type 2 diabetes showed Glucophage to be effective, safe, and well tolerated in this population.
  • Glucophage is indicated for use as a single oral treatment (monotherapy) in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes in the U.S.

Sources:

  • NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net, 2004 NOV 29
  • "ISPAD 2004: International Society for Paediatric & Adolescent Diabetes Annual Meeting"
  • Glucophage (metformin) prescribing information
  • Guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes
  • Biotech Business Week, 2004, via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net

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