Testing for diabetes: abnormalities in 6%

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32587, 22 April 1971, Page 14

Testing for diabetes: abnormalities in 6%

Of the 1250 persons who had blood samples taken during a check for diabetes just before Easter, 74, or 6 per cent, had been found to have some abnormality, said the Deputy Medical Officer of Health for the Christchurch district (Dr D. A. Andrews) yesterday.

Of the 74, nine were known diabetics, 19 were probable diabetics, and 46 were borderline cases. All cases had been referred to the doctors of the persons concerned, and complete checks would be made.

Dr Andrews said that 77 per cent of those who had samples taken were females. The best represented agegroup was the 50 to 59 group. However, the group that the department had particularly hoped to test, those 30 to 70, was also well represented.

A large proportion of those tested were found to be obese—meaning considerably overweight, said Dr Andrews. Thirty-four per cent of the total were obese, and of these, only 6 per cent were men.

Thirty per cent of those tested had a family history of diabetes. This was a very high figure, said Dr Andrews. Only 5 per cent said they had any symptoms of diabetes.

Of the nine known diabetics, tests indicated that they were getting inadequate treatment and illustrated the importance of having an accurate blood test as part of the control, Dr Andrews said. Of those found to be “abnormal,” 60 per cent had a family history of diabetes which showed how important an indicator this was to a doctor, while 15 per cent had some sign or symptom indicating diabetes.

“The testing was a most interesting exercise and most worth while,” said Dr Andrews. “The public is obviously interested in diabetics, and if we can detect the disorder early it is better for all concerned.”

Anyone who had a family history of diabetes, was overweight, more than 40, and showed symptoms of diabetes should see his doctor. Diabetes was controllable, so that there was everything to gain by getting early treatment.