CARDIO VASCULAR KIDNEY METABOLIC
SYNDROME: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NEWS: The
CKM syndrome as the price of modernity
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
Rising
Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):
- In Tamil Nadu, NCDs, including obesity,
hypertension, and diabetes, are responsible for 69% of premature deaths
and 68% of years lost to disability. The increasing prevalence of these
conditions reflects a broader national trend. Specifically, 28.5% of the
population is overweight, and 11.4% are obese, making the state a focal
point for health interventions.
Diabetes
and Hypertension Crisis:
- The 2020 STEPS survey for Tamil Nadu reported
alarming figures: 17.6% of the population suffers from diabetes, and 33.9%
have hypertension. Furthermore, the management of these conditions is
insufficient, particularly in low-income communities, leading to poor
glycemic control and increased risk of complications.
Economic
Impact on Healthcare:
- The rising burden of NCDs, especially
conditions associated with CKM syndrome (like coronary angioplasty and
kidney dialysis), has placed a significant strain on Tamil Nadu's health
resources. The state spends nearly Rs 1,200 crore annually on insurance premiums
under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS),
further highlighting the financial strain caused by the growing prevalence
of these conditions.
Fragmented
Healthcare System:
- Tamil Nadu’s healthcare system currently
addresses diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases in
isolation, leading to fragmented care. This results in patients having to
visit multiple specialists, which is inefficient and burdensome. The state
has advocated for an Integrated Care Model where a
multidisciplinary team treats CKM syndrome as a unified condition to
optimize care and reduce patient burden.
Impact of
Globalization and Lifestyle Changes:
- Globalization has led to lifestyle changes,
such as longer working hours, unhealthy eating habits, and disrupted sleep
patterns, all of which exacerbate metabolic health issues like CKM
syndrome. Increased work hours and night shifts have been linked to higher
rates of obesity and other metabolic diseases, contributing to the rise of
NCDs in the state.
Health
Policy Recommendations:
- Experts have called for preventive measures
like regulating work hours, improving lifestyle habits, promoting
healthier food options (such as millets), and encouraging low-sodium salt
consumption. These steps are considered crucial in addressing the CKM
epidemic and reducing the burden on healthcare resources.