Reason for screening and methods of diagnosing type II diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the reasons for screening and the methods of diagnosing Type II diabetic patients. It was a retrospective analysis of patients attending the Ap Lei Chan Clinic of the General Practice Unit of the University of Hong Kong. Of a total patient population of 3,400, 47 new cases of Type II diabetes mellitus were diagnosed between September 1992 and September 1993. Three quarters of these newty diagnosed diabetic patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Only 4% presented with the classical symptoms of polyuria and/or polydipsia. About one third required oral glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis. Screening of asymptomatic patients is important to identify many of the undiagnosed Type II diabetic patients. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) should be performed in those whose fasting blood sugar was elevated but not diagnostic of diabetes mellitus.