[The French diabetic population. Results of a study using a representative sample]

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in France, the existing treatment used and the effect of this chronic disease on everyday life patterns of the diabetic population. A survey was undertaken by Lilly laboratories and SOFRES medical institute from November to December 1992, which involved randomly screening 20,000 french families. After the screening questionnaire was sent at to the 20,000 families, the following feedback was obtained: 996 patients have been identified. More than 80% of the patients (that is, 122 were insulin treated and a further 674 were identified as NIDDM) replied to the second self assessment questionnaire. It was possible to make an estimation of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in France that is to say: 1.9% of the general population. The general practitioner makes the primary diagnosis in more than 80% of the cases, and treats 97% of the NIDDM patients and 74% of the insulin treated diabetic patients. The diabetic patients have an average of 8 consultations per year with their general practitioners and 3-4 consultations per year with the endocrinologist. Therapeutic management of the NIDDM patients is based mainly on diet (82%) alone or in association with drugs. 32% of patients primary treated by drugs and secondary by insulin are not satisfied with their glycemic control (vs 22% of IDDM patients and 15% of NIDDM patients). Less than 35% of diabetic women are current users of contraception. More than one third of children who were born from a diabetic mother had a birth weight above 4 kgs.