A comparison of diabetic control status between urban and rural diabetic patients in Taiwan.
Between 1985 and 1987, in two urban and five rural areas in Taiwan, a total of 16,636 subjects aged 40 or over were screened for diabetes mellitus according to the WHO criteria. Four hundred and fifty-two previously diagnosed patients and 274 newly diagnosed patients were found. All were non-insulin-dependent diabetics. The blood glucose control status was compared between the urban and rural previously diagnosed diabetics. Those living in the rural areas were found to have better control with a higher percentage under regular treatment. Stepwise multiple regression failed to discover a significant correlation between control status and any of the following factors: sex, age, body mass index (BMI), diabetic duration, treatment regularity, exercise, occupation, education, family income and the presence of hypertension or large vessel diseases. About 30% of the patients in rural areas and 40% in urban areas were poorly controlled. This indicates that our diabetic control program should be strengthened.
Tseng
C H
CH
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, R.O.C.
Chang
C J
CJ
Fu
C C
CC
Chen
M S
MS
Kao
C S
CS
Wu
T J
TJ
Wu
H P
HP
Chuang
L M
LM
Tai
T Y
TY
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health
D001786:Blood Glucose