Online risk test prompted 1 in 16 to get diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

An online risk test, provided by charity Diabetes UK, has found that one in 16 of those that took the test already had type 2 diabetes.
The test, which was developed as a collaboration between Diabetes UK and the University of Leicester, provides people with a score of how much they are at risk of type 2 diabetes. Those that record a high score are encouraged to seek a diagnosis of diabetes.
To assess the effectiveness of the risk test, Diabetes UK carried out a survey of 1,000 people who had taken the test and found that 6% (1 in 16) of those that took the test had got tested and subsequently been diagnosed with diabetes after receiving a ‘high risk’ score.
The test has, to date, been taken by more than 400,000 people suggesting that the test may have helped 24,000 people to get a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. An early diagnosis is important as early treatment of diabetes can help to substantially reduce the risk and impact of long term health complications such as retinal disease, kidney disease and heart disease.
Current estimates are that there are 630,000 people that are living with type 2 diabetes but have yet to be diagnosed. Some people may put signs of diabetes, such as regular fatigue, down to getting older, whereas other people may incorrectly believe they are too young to get type 2 diabetes, also known metabolic syndrome.
Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, Barbara Young encourages people at risk to seek a diagnosis: “I would urge anyone who has any of the risk factors to find out their risk status as soon as possible, whether online or at a local pharmacy or GP surgery. It will only take a few minutes and could be one of the most important things you ever do.”