A type 2 diabetes screening program by general practioners in a Belgian at risk population.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to set up in Belgium a national screening program in order to evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes in a general population with at least one risk factor.


METHODS
10.201 individuals were screened by 1.466 general practioners between 1995 and 1998 (age: 57 +/- 16 years; BMI: 28 +/- 5 kg/m2; mean +/- 1SD). A three step diagnosis protocol was followed (blood glucose at random; fasting plasma glucose and, if needed, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test). WHO criteria were used for diagnosis.


RESULTS
Impaired glucose tolerance was found in 3% of individuals, while 11% had diabetes. Patients with abnormal glucose metabolism were older (P<0.001) and had an higher BMI (P<0.001) than non-diabetic subjects. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was slightly higher (14 vs. 11%) when using a fasting plasma glucose threshold of 126 mg/dl (instead of 140 mg/dl) as recommended by the ADA experts.


CONCLUSIONS
Undiagnosed abnormal glucose metabolism, in particular diabetes, is particularly frequent in a Belgian at risk population.
Buysschaert
M
M
Service d'Endocrinologie et Nutrition, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgique. buysschaert@diab.ucl.ac.be
Vandenbroucke
C
C
Barsoum
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005194:Family Practice; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose