The Amrita Endocrinology, Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Conference (AEDFC) 2012 was organized at our Health Sciences campus in Kochi during September 14-16, 2012.
The conference saw the participation of over 300 delegates from all over the world. Endocrinologists, diabetologists, podiatric surgeons, paramedics, social workers, students were all represented.
The three-day conference was organized by the Amrita Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Podiatric Surgery. Since its inception in 1999, the Centre has grown and today has eight consultant endocrinologists and five podiatric surgeons associated with it. Currently, the only such centre in India, it offers a DM endocrinology course for advanced students.
“Conferences like this become significant as India is seeing an emergence of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Our Government is planning to integrate diabetic care with primary health care services,” stated Sri. V. S. Sivakumar, Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, while inaugurating the conference.
“Several studies show that obesity and hypertension in adolescents and children has risen to significant levels globally, with serious public health consequences. One of the pioneering work that Amrita is doing is driving towards a greater understanding of these problems among young children,” added Dr. Prem Nair, Medical Director, at the inauguration.
Presentations by delegates followed that focused on diseases of the thyroid and adrenals, recent developments in endocrinology and diabetes, new treatments and medicines for diabetes, management of diabetic ulcers, delayed puberty, osteoporosis, management of diabetic foot infections, Charcot foot surgery and reconstructive surgery for the diabetic foot.
Distinguished speakers included Dr. Robert Frykberg and Dr. Aparajita Nakhra, Podiatric Surgeons from USA and Dr. Adrian Daly, Endocrinologist from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège, University of Liège, Belgium.
Dr Krishna G. Sheshadri, Professor of Endocrinology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai; Dr. Arun Bal and Dr. Milind Ruke, Podiatric Surgeons from Mumbai were other distinguished practitioners who shared their insights.
Dr. K. Kannan, Senior Endocrinologist from Madurai Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology elaborated on laboratory tests for determining thyroid function. “Lab tests can confirm or deny clinical impressions. These tests rarely diagnose diseases. Lab tests of thyroid function should be interpreted in the proper context.” he explained.
Dr. V. Kumaravel, Endocrinologist, Alpha Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai discussed the etiology of delayed puberty, the special investigations to be done and routine management.
Dr. Shriram Mahadevan, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist from Chennai spoke on the topic, Steroid Replacement – Endocrine Aspects.
Dr. R. V. Jayakumar, Professor in the Department of Endocrinology at Amrita elaborated on the topic, Speaking on Subclinical Hypothyroidism in the Elderly.
Other doctors who spoke from the Amrita Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Podiatric Surgery were Professors Harish Kumar, Vasantha Nair, Ajit Kumar Varma, Unnikrishnan A.G., Usha Menon and Nisha B.
A series of video demonstrations of complicated diabetic foot surgeries by expert surgeons were also presented. These included new surgical techniques in diabetic foot reconstructions, that have been developed by the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Podiatric Surgery at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
September 24, 2012
School of Medicine, Kochi
