THE PREVALENCE OF DIABETES-MELLITUS IN A LARGE GROUP OF SOUTH-AFRICAN INDIANS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 67  (23) , 924-926
Abstract
The prevalences of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) among 866 Indians living in the Chatsworth area of Durban [South Africa] were determined. The study group was selected by cluster sampling and the participants underwent a modified glucose tolerance test (GTT) (determination of fasting and 2 h plasma glucose levels after a 75 g glucose load). On the basis of the revised WHO criteria the overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11% and of IGT 5.8%. Of the 368 men, 7.6% were found to have diabetes mellitus and 7.1% IGT; the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was much greater among women (13.5%), while there was less IGT (4.8%). Subjects with diabetes mellitus were significantly older (mean 50.7 yr) than those with a normal GTT (mean 30.9 yr), but of similar age distribution compared with the IGT group (mean 46 yr). Subjects with a normal GTT had a significantly lower mean body mass index (22.1 .+-. 2.8) compared with diabetic subjects (26.1 .+-. 5.2) or the IGT group (25.8 .+-. 6.6). Obesity was commonly associated with both diabetes mellitus and IGT, particularly among women.