Antibiotics linked to higher risk of diabetes
According to a study published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, use of antibiotics may be linked to higher risk of diabetes.
Experts feel that the findings are very relevant to India because of the huge prevalence of diabetes as well as the irrational use of antibiotics.
The findings of the study , conducted at the Center for Diabetes Research at the University of Copenhagen, showed prior exposure to antibiotics was associated with a 53% increased risk of developing Type2 diabetes.
The study based on data from three national Danish registries are significant because it contributes to the argument for less frequent and more judicious use of antibiotics.
‘The angle needs to be investigated further. It is important mainly because it is known that bacteria in the gut have some connection with use of antibiotics. Excess use of such medicines or irrational use of antibiotics can produce imbalance in the gut leading to metabolic disorders,’ says Dr Anoop Misra, a leading endocrinologist and chairman, Fortis-C-DOC Centre for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases.
According to Dr. Misra, there is a need to immediately curb the irrational use of antibiotics in India.
Already on the verge of being the world capital for diabetes, patients in India should not force their doctors to prescribe antibiotics; doctors on the other hand, should be more judicious in their approach.
