[New diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus--why?]

In 1997, the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus were changed in the USA; the WHO has also proposed changes in its criteria. The main difference from the previous set of WHo criteria is a lowering of the cut-off level of fasting plasma glucose to > or = 7.0 mmol/l. This article discusses the implications of new diagnostic criteria and recommends that the level of fasting plasma glucose for diagnosing diabetes is decreased to > or = 7.0 mmol/l in Norway as well.