Screening for Diabetes
To treat diabetes, we must first make the diagnosis. Based on the presence of diabetic retinopathy, it is estimated that in the United States the newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patient has had diabetes for an average of 8 years. It is now recommended that everyone over age 45 have the fasting glucose level assessed every 3 years, with those at high risk (African American, Native American, or Mexican American; family history of diabetes; presence of obesity, hypertension, or dyslipidemia; or history of gestational diabetes) being assessed earlier and more frequently.[1] At least 10% of diabetes diagnosed in people under the age of 18 in the United States is in fact type 2 diabetes; this frequency is much greater in high-risk ethnic groups (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans).[2]
South Med J. 2002;95(1) © 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Cite this: Current Status of Diabetes Treatment - Medscape - Jan 01, 2002.
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