Prospective Study of 352 Young Patients with Chemical Diabetes

Abstract

Three criteria for chemical diabetes were evaluated by determination of their accuracy in predicting the subsequent development of classic diabetes, as measured by decompensation of carbohydrate control. Three hundred fifty-two subjects with the diagnosis of chemical diabetes made on the basis of these 3 criteria, were followed for a maximum of 12 years, and the data observed were analyzed by the life-table technique. Fifty-two per cent of the cases diagnosed according to the US Public Health Service criteria (fasting blood sugar level of 110, 1 hr. levels of 170, 2-hr. levels of 120 and 3-hr. levels of 110 mg/100 ml) progress to decompensation of carbohydrate control within 10 years of the diagnosis, as estimated by life-table analysis, whereas only 32% diagnosed by the Fajans and Conn criteria, and 21% diagnosed by the Mosenthal and Barry, show similar progression. Body weight and a family history of diabetes had no appreciable effect on these findings.