title: Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in a regional hospital medical unit.
abstract: Diabetics form a significant proportion of patients requiring admission to medical units in Singapore. We conducted a cross-sectional study of all diabetic patients admitted to Alexandra Hospital over a two-month period (1 September 1990 to 31 October 1990). One hundred and thirty-five patients (57 males, 78 females) were entered into the study. The population characteristics, admitting medical diagnoses, complications, treatment modalities and follow-up of these patients were studied. The study group accounted for 13.1% of all hospital admissions over the study period (total admissions 1033). Eighty-seven (64.4%) were Chinese, 25 (18.5%) Indians and 23 (17.1%) Malays. Of the microvascular complications, the most common was diabetic nephropathy. Eighty-two (60.7%) patients had albuminuria and 35 (25.9%) were azotemic. Dermopathy was present in 15.5% (21) and 32.6% (44) had peripheral neuropathy. Cataracts were present in 32.6% (44) of the study population and retinopathy in 18.5% (25). Associated diseases like hypertension were detected in 51.9% (70), hyperlipidemia in 41.5% (56) and coronary heart disease in 28.1% (38) of the group. Eighty-four patients (62.2%) were treated with oral hypoglycaemic tablets, 27 (20.0%) with insulin and 24 (17.7%) were managed with diet alone. Thirty-four patients (25.2%) were admitted with acute infections, most of which were respiratory infections. The mean glycosylated haemoglobin value was 11.7%. The mean duration of hospitalisation was 6.48 days. No significant correlation was found between the glycosylated haemoglobin value and the duration of hospitalisation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Singapore General Hospital.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Tey
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chew
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology