Estimation of the prevalence of orally treated diabetes in France using a pharmacoepidemiologic approach: comparison between 1981 and 1992.
OBJECTIVE
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes may become a public health problem in the next decade, given the increasing life expectancy of populations and because the baby-boom generation will reach the age at risk. Moreover a modification of the diagnostic criteria may increase the number of diabetic patients. We studied the evolution of diabetes prevalence.


METHODS
A non-specific household survey, performed every 10 years was used. Patients who bought an oral antidiabetic drug during these studies were classified as diabetics.


RESULTS
In 1980-81 and 1991-92 the crude diabetes prevalences were not significantly different even if there was a trend to increase (1.27% and 1.41%, respectively). When the 1980-81 prevalence was standardized to the age distribution of the 1991-92 sample, the trend disappeared (prevalence 1980-81:1.35%).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no increase in an individual's risk of diabetes. However the crude prevalence tended to increase because of the changing age structure of the population. On-going studies are needed to follow the prevalence of diabetes during the next decade.
Vauzelle-Kervroëdan
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F
INSERM Unit 258, Université Paris-Sud, 16 avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France. orhan@vjf.inserm.fr
Forhan
A
A
Guillemot
D
D
Sermet
C
C
Maison
P
P
Balkau
B
B
Eschwège
E
E