Anti-biotics Consumption & risk of type two diabetes.

A person develops diabetes, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels, when the individual cannot produce enough of the hormone insulin or insulin does not work properly to clear sugar from the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the condition, accounting for around 90-95% of all cases. It occurs when the body is unable to use the hormone insulin effectively, causing abnormal blood glucose levels which can be detected by under going tests from reputed and well recognised diagnostic lab. It has been found that greater the number of antibiotic prescriptions an individual has each year, the higher their risk for type 2 diabetes. This is according to a new study by researchers co-author Dr. Kristian Hallundbæk Mikkelsen, of Gentofte Hospital in Denmark, and colleagues publish their findings in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

The researchers identified a greater number of antibiotic prescriptions among individuals with type 2 diabetes, at 0.8 per year, compared with 0.5 antibiotic prescriptions annually for those without type 2 diabetes. According to research conducted  revealed that prior exposure to antibiotics was associated with a 53% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The finding could mean that antibiotics play a direct causal role in type 2 diabetes or that people with as-yet-undiagnosed diabetes may have a greater risk for infection and therefore are more likely to use antibiotics. These experts foud out from their study that individuals who filled more prescriptions for antibiotics were at greater risk for type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The overexposure is seen after, as well as 15 years, before the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Already microbiologists insists not to use antibiotic frequently and also doctors are also reluctant to prescribe them unless and until it is essential. This is because over use of an antibiotic can cause resistance against it. So, that new antibiotic can be given but the another problem is research and development of the new antibiotics take lot of time. Also, the drugs also kill off some of the ‘good’ bacteria in the gut, which are known to influence digestion and metabolism. 

In regard to this paper published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Professor Jodi Lindsay of St George’s University of London said: “This paper adds to the growing evidence that antibiotic usage is linked to type 2 diabetes”."Diabetes is one of the greatest challenges facing modern health care, with a globally increasing incidence" he said. "Further investigation into long-term effect of antibiotic use on sugar metabolism and gut bacteria composition could reveal valuable answers about how to address this public health crisis.