Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Taiwan: ethnic variation and risk factors

The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of diabetes and ris k factors for the disease in three ethnic groups in Taiwan; the Hakaas, Fuk ienese, and aborigines. A cross-sectional study of men and women aged 50-79 years were invited to attend a standardized interview and physical examina tion. Diabetes mellitus was defined as a fasting plasma glucose (concentrat ion of greater than or equal to 126) or a previous diagnosis of diabetes. D emographic, socioeconomic, and risk factor data were obtained. A total of 1 293 persons (468 Hakaas, 440 Fukienese, and 385 aborigines) completed the e xamination. Hakaas had the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes, 17. 9% in men and 15.5% in women, followed by Fukienese; 14.5% in men and 12.8% in women. Aborigines had a prevalence of 10.0% in men and 13.3% in women. Diabetes prevalence was positively associated with family history of diabet es, obesity, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia. The ethnic variation i n diabetes prevalence was reduced after adjustment for age, sex and signifi cant factors. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interva l) were 1.27 (0.76-2.12) for Fukienese and 1.44 (0.89-2.33) for Hakaas comp ared with aborigines. Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem in Taiwan and warrants prevention efforts tailored to the country's different ethnic groups. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.