Over 100 million people in India have diabetes, according to a recent study published in The Lancet. The study also notes that the number of diabetes cases worldwide could jump to 1.3 billion by 2050. Indian startups are taking the lead in innovative solutions to address this epidemic
Based in Bangalore, Aarca Research India Pvt Ltd., claims that its Intelligent Health Risk Assessment technology is the first using infrared-based thermal imaging of a patient’s face to rapidly identify biomarkers related to diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol imbalances or dyslipidemia. Traditionally, physicians rely on blood tests for early detection of such diseases.
The company adds that its AI-driven method for early detection of Type 2 diabetes is priced at less than $5, which makes it accessible to a wide range of individuals seeking proactive diabetes management across various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Artelus, also based in Bangalore, is a company that offers solutions for diabetic retinopathy, which is the degradation of blood vessels in the eyes that eventually causes blindness.
The company says it has partnered with multiple eye hospitals, Non Government Organizations, and public health departments across India to screen close to 100,000 people and has identified thousands of patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Artelus has developed a system that is capable of screening a person for diabetic retinopathy in less than a minute.
Detecting the disorder is generally a time-consuming process requiring a physician to scan hundreds of retinal images looking for blood vessel abnormalities. Using AI to streamline the detection process allows for early diagnosis and treatment.
“Our solution ensures that the eye specialist has to only provide a consult to the patient,” said Pradeep Walia, founder and director of Artelus.
Predictive analytics studies historical and current data to make future predictions. It determines the likelihood of future outcomes using techniques such as data mining, statistics, data modeling, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to analyze data to determine and extrapolate hidden trends. This technology can help treat diabetes by analyzing a patients health data, especially glucose levels, to detect potential complications earlier.
AI also has a role to play in personalizing treatment plans to fit an individual’s profile, and educating and encouraging patients to adhere to those plans.
BeatO claims to be India’s first personalized health management ecosystem. The company also makes wearable devices with sensors powered by AI algorithms that can showcase new biomarkers. Its glucometer can be connected to a mobile that shows trends, graphs and patterns, as also predicts HbA1c among other services.
