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Diabetes Singapore and GSK are joining forces to raise awareness of the increased risk of viral infections for people with diabetes

  • diabetes Singapore and GSK aim to raise awareness of diabetes and improve the lives of those affected by diabetes through educational discussions and activities on World Diabetes Day

  • One in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime; People with diabetes have a 38% higher risk of developing shingles[1]

  • People with diabetes are six times more likely to be hospitalized due to severe RSV disease than people without diabetes[2]

SINGAPORE, November 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — This World Diabetes Day, Diabetes Singapore has partnered with GSK to raise awareness about the increased risk of viral infections in diabetics such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and shingles due to a weakened immune system. Under the motto “Diabetes and well-being”, World Diabetes Day in Singapore was held from November 9th to 10th at HDB Hub Toa Payoh. The campaign highlighted the importance of access to diabetes care and support to prevent diabetes-related complications and improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.

(PRNewsfoto/GSK)
(PRNewsfoto/GSK)

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), around one in three Singaporeans can develop diabetes during their lifetime.[3] The 2023 National Population Health Survey found that 7.3% of Singapore Residents aged 18 to 74 suffer from diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes has been observed to increase with age, from 1% in young adults aged 30 to 39 years and 22% in those aged 70 to 74 years.[4]

Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels due to difficulty producing insulin or a lack of response to insulin produced.[5] A combination of factors such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol damage blood vessels, leading to reduced kidney function and, in more serious cases, stroke and heart disease.[6] The MOH estimates that four limb amputations are carried out every day Singapore due to poor diabetes treatment.[7]

The connection between shingles, RSV and diabetes

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is an infectious viral disease characterized by painful, blistering skin rashes that usually appear in a specific area of ​​the body and last for 2 to 4 weeks.[8] Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious and potentially serious virus that can cause respiratory illness.9 Both RSV and shingles pose a serious health risk to older adults, especially those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing medical conditions.[9],[10]

Since people with diabetes are more susceptible to viral infections such as shingles and RSV due to weakened immunity, there is a need to raise awareness of shingles and RSV-related complications as well as symptoms for early detection and diagnosis for timely medical intervention and treatment of infections. Underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to increase the risk and complications of shingles[11]. People with diabetes are 38% more likely to develop shingles than people without diabetes.[1]The recovery process can be more complicated for these patients because they are susceptible to secondary infections, including bacterial infections of the skin or areas affected by shingles. Meanwhile, people with diabetes aged 50 or older are 2.4 to 6.4 times more likely to be hospitalized for severe RSV disease than people without diabetes.[2]

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