Detecting undiagnosed diabetes in urban Asian Indians--role of opportunistic screening.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to determine the proportion of incidental to symptomatic diagnosis of diabetes and to compare the profile of symptomatic and incidentally diagnosed diabetic subjects.


METHODS
One thousand newly diagnosed diabetic subjects (WHO criteria) were studied. Clinical, demographic, anthropometric details, blood pressure, glycaemic and lipid parameters were recorded. Reasons for medical check up were noted.


RESULTS
Among the 1000 subjects, 29% were symptomatic for diabetes and 71% were incidentally diagnosed to have diabetes. Symptomatic subjects were younger, had higher glycaemia and prevalence of hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that majority of type 2 diabetic subjects remain asymptomatic and opportunistic screening for diabetes would be required for the early diagnosis of the disorder.
Ramachandran
A
A
Diabetes Research Centre and MV Hospital for Diabetes, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Education and Training in Diabetes Royapuram, Chennai--13.
Snehalatha
C
C
Vijay
V
V
Colagiuri
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014504:Urban Health