Prevalence of diabetes in rural Victoria

David Simmons, Anne McKenzie, Simon Eaton, Jonathan Shaw, Paul Zimmet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: To compare the prevalence of diabetes in adults in small and medium sized towns in a part of rural Victoria Materials and methods: Participants were usual residents, aged ≥25 years, from randomly selected households in the crossroads undiagnosed disease study (CUDS: six small rural towns and their regional center in rural Victoria). Response rates to an initial census at the household and attendance at a subsequent biomedical examination involved were 70% and 61% (1454), respectively. All non-diabetic participants had an oral glucose tolerance test. Results: Prevalence of diabetes, IGT, IFG were 7.3 (5.5-9.5)%, 6.9 (5.1-9.9)% and 3.2 (2.0-4.7)% respectively in the regional center and 8.9 (6.9-11.1)%, 4.9 (3.5-6.7)%, 3.0 (1.9-4.5)% in the Shire Capitals. Overall, 31/118 (26.3%) of those with diabetes were previously undiagnosed. Most (83.9%) of those with undiagnosed diabetes remembered having been screened for diabetes in the previous 2 years. Overall screening rates for diabetes were higher than across Victoria as a whole. Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes has probably doubled over the last 15 years in this area. Undiagnosed diabetes is less common than expected, possibly as a result of a more vigorous approach to screening in general practice and in spite of the lower numbers of GPs in the area.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)287-290
Number of pages4
JournalDiabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume70
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Dec 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Access
  • Australia
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • Rural Health
  • Screening
  • Type 2 diabetes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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