A population survey on the prevalence of diabetes in Kin-Hu, Kinmen

To investigate the prevalence of non-insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus in Kin-Hu, Kinmen.

This is a community-based population survey. The target population are residents > or = 30 years of age in Kin-Hu, Kinmen, according to the official household registry in 1990. Face to face interviews were conducted by the Yang-Ming Crusade in 1991 using a structured questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were drawn by public health nurses, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed for definite diagnosis of diabetes.

There were 4,097 eligible subjects (2,026 men and 2,071 women), and 3,236 had complete fasting plasma glucose data (1,536 men and 1,700 women). The response rate was 79% (76% for men and 82% for women). The age-specific response rates were 81% for the 30- to 39-year and 50- to 59-year age-groups, 84% for the 40- to 49-year age-group, and 69% for the > or = 60-year age-group. The crude prevalence of diabetes in Kin-Hu was 6.5% (2.0% previous and 4.5% new). With the standard world population of Segi, the age-adjusted prevalence rate was 4.9% (4.5% for men and 5.4% for women). The prevalence rate of diabetes increased significantly with age. The prevalence of previously diagnosed diabetes accounted for less than one third of the total rate.

The population survey in Kin-Hu, Kinmen, had a high response rate of 79%. The crude prevalence rate of diabetes was 6.5%, and the age-adjusted prevalence rate was 4.9%. The low ratio of previously diagnosed to newly diagnosed diabetic cases may be due to lack of public awareness and medical services in this community.