Survey finds majority of Pakistani diabetics having mental health issues

Alarming findings from the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) latest survey has revealed that over three-quarters of Pakistan’s 33 million people living with diabetes experience mental health challenges due to the daily demands of managing their condition, senior diabetologists and health experts revealed on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference organised by the ‘Discovering Diabetes’ project at the Karachi Press Club (KPC), they said that with the diabetes cases continuing to rise nationwide, 78 per cent of the patients report facing anxiety, depression or other mental health issues linked with the stress of controlling the disease.

Dr Ali Asghar, consultant endocrinologist and president-elect of the Pakistan Endocrine Society, described diabetes as a pandemic-level health threat posing serious challenges to people — both physically and emotionally.

“Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, with over 537 million people affected globally, including 33 million here in Pakistan alone. Factors like urbanisation, poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and rising obesity are accelerating diabetes rates, especially among younger populations,” he stated.

The IDF survey, which assessed the mental health of diabetics, found that 72 per cent of the respondents feared future complications from diabetes, while 69 per cent reported struggles with accessing necessary medications and supplies.

Additionally, 65 per cent faced challenges due to limited support from healthcare professionals, and 62 per cent were overwhelmed by the routine requirements of diabetes management. This burden left many feeling isolated, with 58 per cent reporting stigmatisation over their condition.

A particularly troubling aspect found in the survey was the phenomenon of ‘diabetes burnout’ — described as a state of emotional and physical exhaustion brought on by the daily responsibilities of managing diabetes, which affected 88 per cent of the respondents. Of those impacted, 79 per cent admitted to delaying or even halting their treatment due to the stress involved, raising concerns about long-term care.

These findings underscore a pressing need for emotional and mental health resources for diabetics in Pakistan. “We must prioritise not only the physical but also the mental well-being of diabetics,” emphasised Dr Asghar, calling for policies that address the complete spectrum of diabetes care.

Mohsin Sheraz, project head of Discovering Diabetes, shared details of their outreach and innovative digital solutions, including the DIBOT chatbot, which serves as a virtual personal assistant for diabetes care. DIBOT is designed to provide individualised guidance on diabetes management, offering dietary advice, lifestyle tips, and medication information tailored to each user.

“Since its inception in 2021, Discovering Diabetes has reached over 8.5 million people and directly supported more than 344,000 individuals with free education and consultations. It has also conducted screenings for nearly a million individuals, with DIBOT tracking 36,000 diabetics in the past year alone,” he said.

“Our goal is to improve lives by making education and early detection available to everyone,” said the project head. “By harnessing artificial intelligence, we can offer tailored support and facilitate early diagnosis and better disease management at the national level.”

Dr Masood Jawaid, a board member of the PharmEvo Research Forum, presented additional insights from the ‘Diabetes Wellbeing Survey’, which revealed that nearly half (46.8 per cent) of the diabetic patients suffered from anxiety and depression.

He noted that many patients felt their emotional health needs were largely ignored by healthcare providers, with over half reporting that their doctors seldom inquired about their mental well-being.

Shaukat Ali Jawaid, chief editor of the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, stressed the importance of lifestyle modifications to prevent and manage diabetes. He recommended healthier alternatives, such as choosing fruits over sweets on special occasions, limiting screen time, avoiding junk food and carrying out regular physical activity. “These steps are crucial in addressing diabetes holistically and reducing its impact on future generations,” he said.