Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors in an adult urban population in Shanghai

A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban population 25 years of ag e and older to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and associated risk factors. A total oi 13,940 su bjects was surveyed (7,042 male, 6,898 female). The prevalence (DM 2.33 %, IGT 1.30) was much higher than in a 1978 study. Age-standardised prevalence was not statistically different between males and females : respectively 2 .54 % and 2.14 % for DM and 1.42 % and 1.31 % for IGT Most diabetic patient s were well-educated and performed mildly intensive labour. More patients s howed a family history of diabetes during youth and risk factors associated with diabetes in old age, e.g. hypertension and an overweight condition. M icroalbuminuria was found in 20.26 % of newly diagnosed diabetic patients, i.e. a much higher proportion than in the normal population.