Prevalence of glycosuria and diabetes mellitus*

Abstract

The results of a comprehensive survey in Halstead, Essex, are reported. Out of 5,843 persons (95.3% of the population) included in the survey, 192 cases of glycosuria were discovered-38 known cases of diabetes and 35 newly discovered cases—a total incidence of 1.2%. The newly discovered cases were in subjects over 40 years, and the maximum incidence was in the 60–69 age-group. An attempt was made to classify the other cases of glycosuria into various types. If accurate comparisons are to be made it is essential that comparable methods of blood-sugar analysis and comparable diagnostic criteria are used. The survey confirmed the findings of other surveys that for every known diabetic there is another undiagnosed case. There may be as many as 300,000 undiagnosed cases in the country, and some suggestions are made for the institution of a large-scale postal diabetes detection drive. © 1962, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.