Diabetes mellitus in the Torres Strait region

A study of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the predominantly Melanesian population of the Torres Strait region indicated a rate of 19% in the outer island area and a rate of 13% in the Thursday Island and Bamaga areas. The disease, predominantly of the mature-onset type, was not sex dependent except in subjects over the age of 50 years, in whom there was a significantly greater prevalence amongst females. A positive correlation between blood or plasma glucose levels and blood pressure was found.