Kuwait City, Dec 24: Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company, announced today the results of its PACT MEA study on people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study found that all people with T2DM in Kuwait are at a high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and that 20% of them are already diagnosed with ASCVD. This is the first time such a study, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, was conducted to understand the burden of ASCVD in T2DM with the findings published in renowned scientific journals.

Consultant in Endocrinology and Metabolism, and the lead investigator for PACT MEA study in Kuwait Dr. Hessa Alkandari, said “While we were aware of Kuwait’s high prevalence of T2DM, PACT MEA provided valuable insights into the local burden of ASCVD among people with T2DM locally. The study highlights unmet needs on multiple fronts in managing T2DM patients at high risk of developing ASCVD.”

Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, and a key investigator in the PACT MEA study, Dr. Waleed Al-Al-Dahi, believes that the study results are a wake-up call to both the healthcare community and people living with T2DM to take necessary steps to reduce the burden of ASCVD. He stressed the importance of actions such as a healthy lifestyle, regular screening for ASCVD, controlling risk factors such as lipids, blood glucose, blood pressure, and body weight, adhering to medications, and following physicians’ advice diligently to minimize the risk of developing ASCVD in people living with T2DM.

PACT MEA’s overall study sample included 3,726 individuals, with the participation of 350 patients from Kuwait, 366 from Bahrain, 346 from Qatar, 550 from Egypt, 576 from Jordan, 996 from South Africa, and 542 United Arab Emirates. Eligible patients were those aged 18 years and over who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at least six months before study entry. The weighted distribution of cardiovascular risk categories, as per the 2021 ESC guidelines, revealed that 69% were classified as high risk, and nearly 30% as very high risk.

Novo Nordisk Vice President and General Manager in the Gulf, Mr. Venkat Kalyan, expressed the company's gratitude for collaborating with Kuwait's most prominent investigators through this study. He stressed the importance of local studies in taking the necessary steps forward and confirmed the company's commitment to developing new medicines for people with diabetes. Additionally, Novo Nordisk is keen on providing appropriate solutions for chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity, in accordance with the latest scientific research.

Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark, drives change to defeat diabetes, obesity, and rare blood and endocrine diseases. Building on its pioneering work in diabetes, the company discovers scientific breakthroughs, delivers its medicines to patients worldwide, and works to prevent and ultimately cure diseases. With 61,400 employees in 80 countries, Novo Nordisk delivers its products in around 170 countries.