The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and related variables—A population study in Sudbury, Massachusetts

Abstract 1. 1. Seventy-seven per cent of the town of Sudbury was examined for diabetes. Diagnoses required both elevated postprandial blood sugars and an abnormal glucose tolerance test. 2. 2. The prevalence of known diabetes was found to be 1.1 per cent, while newly discovered cases amounted to 0.8 per cent. Evaluation of prevalence includes a discussion of the problems encountered in acceptance of known diabetics as well as the effect of varying diagnostic criteria on the acceptance of new diabetics. 3. 3. Analyses of the sex prevalence of diabetes indicated a preponderance of males. No increase was found in the prevalence of diabetes among childbearing women. The significance of these findings is discussed. 4. 4. No relationship was found between a close family history of diabetes and blood sugar levels. 5. 5. Postprandial blood sugar levels were found to be unrelated to body weight. Values obtained following the ingestion of 100 g of glucose, on the other hand, were related to body weight indicating their greater discriminatory ability.