乌鲁木齐市汉族老年人糖代谢异常的流行病学调查

目的 调查乌鲁木齐市60岁以上老年汉族居民糖尿病和糖尿病前期的患病率以及分布特点.方法 对乌鲁木齐市2个社区的居民进行查体及75 g葡萄糖耐量试验,共调查2210例,其中60岁以上老年人(老年组)为1231例,40～59岁中年人(中年组)951例.糖尿病诊断标准采用1999年WHO标准.结果 老年组糖尿病和糖尿病前期的患病率分别为32.2%、29.0%,标化后分别为25.6%、23.1%;较中年组患病率高(分别为12.3%、20.9%),差异有统计学意义(x2=192.62,P＜0.05);老年组糖耐量受损(IGT)患病率(21.6%)高于中年组(13.9%),差异有统计学意义(x2=20.97,P＜0.05);单IFG患病率在老年组与中年组间差异无统计学意义;老年组代谢综合征患病率为52.2%,高于中年组(33.7%),差异有统计学意义(x2=73.77,P＜0.05).回归分析结果显示,糖尿病家族史、高血压、高甘油三酯血症是老年人糖尿病发生的危险因素(x2=44.34,P＜0.05).结论 老年汉族人群糖尿病、IGT及代谢综合征的患病率均高于中年人群,必须重点采取干预措施.     

Prevalence of glucose intolerance in Japan--from the National Circulatory Disorders Basic Survey, 1990

The prevalence of glucose intolerance was surveyed in 8,063 people over 30 years old from the general population of Japan. The data used in the analysis were from the Fourth National Circulatory Disorders Basic Survey, which was conducted in 1990. Survey items included history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI) and daily life activity. Blood and urine were also examined, and the blood glucose levels, presence or absence of sugar in urine, and levels of glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined. Glucose intolerance was identified from the blood glucose level, HbA1c level and history of diabetes mellitus. The frequency of glucose intolerance was 8.6% in all subjects (11.9% in men and 6.3% in women). The frequency was higher in older people: 1.7 times higher in men over 65 years old and 2.5 times higher in women over 65 years old. Among people over 40 years old, glucose intolerance was significantly more prevalent in men than in women. It was also significantly more prevalent in men living in big cities than in men living in rural areas. Among obese male subjects and men with a low level of activity in daily life, the frequency of glucose intolerance was higher than in normal male subjects. The level of activity in daily life tended to be lower for people living in big cities than for those in rural areas. The results suggest that the prevalence of glucose intolerance depends on the environment in which people live. The results also indicate that raising the level of activities in daily life might help prevent diabetes mellitus.     

Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in old age in Japan

Epidemiological studies on diabetes mellitus revealed that the number of patients with diabetes mellitus is gradually increasing in Japan along with development of car society and westernization of food intake. Since prevalence of diabetes mellitus increases with aging, proportion of individuals with diabetes mellitus aged over 60 has exceeded two-third of estimated total number of patients (7.40 million in 2002) in Japan where aging of society is rapidly progressing. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is common in diabetes mellitus in old age, and there are rarely elderly patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Prevalence of both diabetic microangiopathy and atherosclerotic vascular diseases is higher in the elderly with diabetes mellitus than in the middle-aged with diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, atherosclerotic vascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, cerebro-vascular disease and peripheral vascular disease) are more prevalent in the elderly with diabetes mellitus than in those without diabetes mellitus. Many studies demonstrated that functional declines, i.e. decreases in activities of daily living, physical activity and cognitive function, deteriorated quality of life in the elderly, and functional declines are more prominent in the elderly with diabetes mellitus than in those without diabetes mellitus. In order to clarify how the elderly patients with diabetes mellitus should be treated to maintain their quality of life, a nationwide randomized controlled intervention study using 1173 Japanese elderly patients with diabetes mellitus is now performing. In summary, number of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus is overwhelmingly increasing in Japan as well as in westernized countries. It is necessary for us to treat the elderly with diabetes mellitus to maintain their function and quality of life.     

Diabetes mellitus in the elderly

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent chronic diseases of the elderly population with a high prevalence after the age of 65 years. In this group it is a serious cause of increased mortality and morbidity. More than 90% of patients suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus. The disease takes frequently for a long time an asymptomatic course and if it persists for long it may lead to microvascular complications and is an important risk factor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The objective of treatment of diabetes in old age is in particular to restrict symptomatic hyperglycaemia, but at the same time we must not forget prevention of hypoglycaemia. It is also important to diagnose and treat diabetic complications. As elderly diabetic patients are usually polymorbid, diabetes mellitus in old age calls for a comprehensive approach not only to the treatment of hyperglycaemia but also of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and other associated diseases.     

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in elderly people in Canada: report from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

AIMS: to estimate the age-specific prevalence of diabetes mellitus in elderly people in Canada, and to examine the effect of method of ascertainment on the estimation of prevalence. METHOD: three measures of diabetes were used in a secondary analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging--a 1991 nation-wide cross-sectional study of the prevalence of dementia in a sample of 10,263 elderly subjects (aged 65-106 years). RESULTS: of community-dwelling subjects, 10.3% reported diabetes. Supplementing this information with clinical reports and random plasma glucose measurements increased the prevalence to 12.0% in the community, 17.5% in institutions and 12.4% overall. CONCLUSION: diabetes is common in elderly people, although the prevalence falls in the very elderly. The method of ascertainment influences estimation of prevalence.     

拉萨市区藏族中老年人群糖尿病患病率粗筛

目的 了解拉萨市区藏族中老年人群糖尿病患病情况及分布特点。方法 采用在居民集中区普查的方法对4851例藏族中老年人群进行饮食结构、体力活动问卷调查及空腹、餐后2h血糖和(或)口服葡萄糖耐量检查。结果 拉萨市区藏族中老年人群糖尿病患病率为6．8％，糖耐量低减为11．6％，他们的体重指数超标、体力活动少和血压高者其糖尿病、糖耐量异常的患病率明显高于正常人群。结论 肥胖、高血压、过多脂肪和蛋白的摄入、运动量减少和低文化程度是拉萨市区藏族中老年人群糖尿病的危险因素。     

Diabetes mellitus im Alter

Diabetes mellitus is a classical disease of the elderly with a prevalence of approximately 20% in the 75?C80 years old age group. Diabetes is particularly in older people associated with typical geriatric symptoms, such as limitations in visual ability, incontinence, depression and mental deterioration. In addition motor functional limitations and an accompanying increase risk of falling are also often present so that a particularly focussed individualized therapy must be agreed for this very heterogeneous group of people. The primary aims of therapy in elderly people with diabetes mellitus are to maintain the quality of life and avoidance of metabolic derailment, such as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and the resulting consequences. Therefore, in the guidelines of the German Diabetes Society, for example an Hb A1c target between 7 and 8% is recommended for geriatric patients with diabetes. The special features of diabetes therapy of elderly people with type?2 diabetes mellitus will be considered in detail in this article.     

Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community-dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: IV. Savannakhet in Laos

Background:   The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA) of community-dwelling elderly people living in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) with those in Japan.
Methods:   A cross-sectional, interview- and examination-based study was undertaken. The subjects consisted of community-dwelling elderly people in Songkhon, a rural district in Laos and in Sonobe, a rural town in Kyoto, Japan. Two hundred and ninety-four people aged 60 years and over in Laos and 411 aged 65 years and over in Japan were examined using a common CGA tool. Interviews pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and Geriatric Depression Scale as well as anthropometric, and blood chemical examinations were included in the assessment.
Results:   All scores for basic and instrumental ADL, intellectual activity and social roles, body mass index, prevalence of hypertension, mean total and HDL cholesterol levels were lower in Laos than in Japan, while prevalence of depression, impaired glucose tolerance and anemia were higher in Laos than in Japan.
Conclusion:   Differences in lifestyle and medical status were found between economically developing Laos and highly developed Japan. Almost all comprehensive geriatric functions such as ADL, QOL, mood and nutritional condition in blood chemistry were lower in the elderly in Songkhon than in Kyoto. Of particular note were the higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and anemia and lower prevalence of hypertension in the elderly population in Songkhon district, which should be examined in future studies.     

Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and metabolic control assessed by HbA(1c) among residents of nursing homes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Diabetes prevalence and diabetes care in residents of nursing homes is a neglected area of research although the growing number of elderly people with diabetes represents a growing challenge for health care in most countries. In this study, we used HbA(1c) measurement to estimate the percentage of residents with undiagnosed diabetes and the quality of metabolic control of subjects with known diabetes in nursing homes. METHODS: All 41 nursing homes in the county of Heinsberg in Northrhine-Westfalia were asked to complete a structured questionnaire on the prevalence of known diabetes among all residents. In addition, all residents were offered measurement of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA(1c)) from a capillary blood sample. Undiagnosed diabetes was defined by a HbA(1c) level greater than 6.0%. RESULTS: 39 nursing homes participated in the study comprising 99.6% of all residents. Among the 1936 residents 507 (26.2%) were known to suffer from diabetes. Among the latter 37.0% were under insulin treatment. Blood samples for the determination of HbA(1c) were obtained from 979 subjects from 20 nursing homes. Among those 60 years old or above (n = 843) the mean level of HbA(1c) in those with known diabetes was 7.3 +/- 1.5% and in those without 6.1 +/- 0.9%. Only 16.7% of the subjects with known diabetes had a HbA(1c) greater than 8.5% indicating poor metabolic control. Among the residents previously not known to have diabetes 47.2% had a HbA(1c) equal to or greater than 6.1%, but among those only 8.5% had a HbA(1c) greater than 7.0%. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Although the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus defined by HbA(1c) above the normal range in elderly nursing home residents is high, only few may require treatment. The quality of metabolic control among those with known diabetes mellitus is better than expected.     

四川巴中地区老年人糖尿病危险因素调查

目的 探讨巴中地区≥60岁老年人2型糖尿病的相关危险因素,为制定适宜的预防和干预措施提供科学依据.方法 通过整群随机抽样方法,于2008年4月至2009年7月在四川巴中地区的7个社区（乡）抽取2414名60岁以上的老年人进行2型糖尿病患病率调查,采用单因素和多因素非条件Logistic回归分析糖尿病的相关危险因素.结果 （1）2414名调查对象的2型糖尿病总患病率为10.4%（252/2414）;其中女性占12.5%（158/1261）,高于男性的8.2%（94/1153）;城市居民（18.2%,79/434）高于农村居民（8.7%,173/198）,差异具有统计学意义（x2值分别为12.34,34.12,均P＜0.05）.（2）家庭收入偏低（OR=1.640）、糖尿病家族史（OR=2.777）、血脂偏高（OR=3.190）为巴中地区老年居民2型糖尿病的主要危险因素（均P＜0.05）.结论 遗传因素、低收入和血脂异常与巴中地区老年人2型糖尿病密切相关,应有针对性地开展干预.     

Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community-dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: I. Singapore

Background: The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessments of community‐dwelling elderly people in Singapore with those in Japan.. Methods: A cross‐sectional, interview‐ and examination‐based study was conducted of community‐dwelling elderly people living in an urban district, Choa Chu Kang, in Singapore and in a rural town, Urausu, in Hokkaido in Japan. Volunteers were recruited by advertising. One hundred and seventeen and 163 community‐dwelling elderly aged 70 years and over in Singapore and Japan, respectively, were examined using a common comprehensive geriatric assessment tool. Interviews pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale as well as anthropometric, neurobehavioral and blood chemical examinations were included in the assessment. Using unpaired t‐tests and χ² tests, findings from the two groups were compared. Results: Intellectual ADL scores were higher in Japan than in Singapore, while there was no significant difference in basic ADL, instrumental ADL or social ADL between the two groups. The prevalence of depression was lower and QOLs were higher in Singaporean elderly subjects than in Japanese. Scores on cognitive functions were higher in Japanese subjects than in Singaporean ones. Mean blood pressure measurements and the prevalence of both hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance were higher in Singapore than in Japan. Conclusion: Comparative findings between comprehensive geriatric assessment of community‐dwelling elderly in Singapore and in Japan were reported. Between these highly economically developed countries, there was no significant difference in such ADLs as basic, information‐related, instrumental and social, but there were differences in the intellectual ADL scores. Japanese elderly people were more highly educated than their Singaporean counterparts, however, higher QOLs and a lower prevalence of depression in the community‐dwelling elderly population were revealed in Singapore than in Japan. Understanding of the need to control chronic risk factors such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus was less popularly spread among community‐dwelling elderly in Singapore than in Japan.     

The prevalence and related factors of restless leg syndrome in the community dwelling elderly; in Kayseri,Turkey: A cross-sectional study

AimThe aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and related factors of restless leg syndrome (RLS) in the community-dwelling elderly living in Kayseri.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional population based study in 960 community-dwelling elderly living in an urban area. We sampled 1/100 of elderly people aged 60 years and older. The diagnosis of RLS was made according to the criteria of the International RLS Study Group. The demographic data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Additionally, the Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale and anthropometric measurements were used. Logistic regression analyses were performed to define risk factors for RLS.ResultsWe excluded elderly people with cognitive impairment (295). One hundred and five (15.8%) of the remaining 665 elderly subjects met the criteria to diagnose RLS. There was female predominance (3/1). Gender, length of education, employment status, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depressive mood, high body mass index, and high waist circumferences, sleep quality, sleep duration, and difficulty in falling asleep in the first 30 min were all detected as risk factors for RLS. However in logistic regression analysis, being a housewife, sleeping less than 6 h a day and having diabetes was found as significantly related risk factors for RLS.ConclusionThis is the first epidemiologic study of RLS conducted in the Turkish community-dwelling elderly in an urban area. RLS is a common but underestimated disease in the elderly. Although RLS is prevalent we found very few risk factors for RLS.     

老年患者代谢综合征不同组合成份与颈动脉内膜的关系

目的探讨老年患者代谢综合征不同组合成份与颈动脉内膜中层厚度的关系。方法选择老年代谢综合征患者79例、年龄60岁以上,按组成成份不同分为老年伴糖尿病组41例,老年非糖尿病组38例,同时选年龄<60岁年轻伴糖尿病组37例。用彩色多普勒超声心动图仪检测颈动脉内膜中层厚度。结果老年伴糖尿病组与老年非糖尿病组颈动脉内膜中层厚度均较年轻伴糖尿病组明显增厚,二者之间有统计学意义(P<0.01),而老年伴糖尿病组又较老年非糖尿病组增厚明显,二组统计有显著意义(P<0.05)。相关分析显示颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度与年龄(r=0.300,P<0.01)、高血压病程(r=0.255,P<0.01)呈显著正相关,斑块发生率以老年伴糖尿病组最高(73.2%),其次为老年非糖尿病组(50%),年轻伴糖尿病组最少(21.6%)三组差异有显著性(P<0.05和0.01)。结论合并糖尿病的代谢综合征患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度较非糖尿病代谢综合征患者明显增厚,老年代谢综合征患者的颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度又较非老年患者增厚明显。     

四川巴中地区老年人糖尿病及糖调节受损患病率的调查

目的了解四川巴中地区老年人糖尿病（DM）及糖调节受损的发病现状。方法采用多级抽样的方法,抽取2414名巴中地区60岁及以上人群进行问卷调查、体检、血糖检查和糖耐量试验。结果2414名对象中,有252例患DM,患病率为10．4％;女性DM患病率高于男性,城镇高于农村,大专及以上文化程度的发病率最低,从事脑力劳动的高于体力劳动的,随经济收入的增高,DM患病率增高。单纯IFG患病率为6．6％,单纯的IGT患病率为22．8％,IFG合并IGT的患病率为1．9％。结论巴中地区老年人糖尿病及糖调节受损的患病形势严峻,应重视和加强防治工作。     

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Galicia (Spain) and association with related diseases

The present study evaluated the prevalence of hypertension (HT) and its possible relationships with various risk factors in a representative sample (n=2884) of the adult population (>18 years old) of Galicia, a region of Spain. Subjects were selected by a two-step cluster sampling procedure from the Galician public health service database, which covers more than 95% of the population (2.7 million inhabitants). The overall prevalence of HT, defined as BP >140/90 mm Hg and/or current treatment with antihypertensive medication, was 25.5%, higher in men (31.1%) than in women (20.7%). Of the hypertensive subjects 50.6% were aware of the HT; of these, 72.0% were receiving treatment and 36.4% were treated and controlled. The prevalence of HT increased with age and was higher in subjects from urban areas than rural areas and higher in subjects with low educational level. Surprisingly, people with low educational level more frequently showed awareness of HT than people with high education level. Increased body mass index was related to increased prevalence of HT and close associations were observed between HT and cardiovascular diseases. Our data also show a linear upward trend in blood pressure from normal glucose metabolism to diabetes mellitus. Surprisingly, the prevalence of HT among people with known diabetes was higher than among people with undetected diabetes, which may indicate poor control of HT in diabetic subjects.     

Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus in the elderly: a seroepidemiological study in a nursing home and in an open population. The Collaborative Group

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) increases in the general population with advancing age. Several discrepancies exist in the epidemiology of HCV, however, when selected elderly population groups are tested. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the HCV prevalence in two groups of elderly people living in the same geopgraphical area of northeast Italy, i.e., one including residents of a nursing home, the other including subjects living at home. METHODS: The overall sample included 496 subjects (mean age 79.31 +/- 8.9 years); 288 were in a nursing home, and 208 were living at home. Enrollment in the latter group was based on all subjects over 65 years old listed under the public health service in the same district. The overall rate of adhesion to the study was 90%. Each subject was administered an anonymous questionnaire testing sociodemographic data and risk factors for HCV infection. Serological tests included: anti-HCV and hepatitis B virus serum markers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for anti-HCV positivity. RESULTS: Anti-HCV positivity was found in 34 of 288 (11.8%) elderly in the nursing home and in 23 of 208 (11.1%) in the open population. When the total population was considered, females exhibited a significantly a higher prevalence of anti-HCV than males (13.4 vs. 7.5%, p < 0.05). In both males and females, the highers rate of anti-HCV prevalence was found among the 75- to 79-year-old subjects. A decline in anti-HCV prevalence was observed in the very old subjects (over 80 years of age). None of the anti-HCV-positive subjects was found to be coinfected with hepatitis B surface antigen. However, multiple logistic regression analysis identified the age group between 70 and 79 years, female gender, and positivity for antihepatitis B surface antigen and/or antihepatitis B core antigen as independent variables significantly associated with HCV prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anti-HCV proved identical among elderly people living in the nursing home or at home, suggesting that nursing homes do not represent a risk factor for HCV infections; the significant association between HCV prevalence and antihepatitis B surface antigen and/or antihepatitis B core antigen positivity supports a common route of transmission of the two viruses; these findings would suggest that there was an epidemic of HCV infection during the Second World War and in the years immediately afterwards.     

Relation of lipoprotein(a) as coronary risk factor to type 2 diabetes mellitus and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients > or =65 years of age (The Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging)

High levels of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), but this association apparently is not confirmed in elderly people. We evaluated the interactions of Lp(a) with lipid and nonlipid CAD risk factors in a sample of subjects enrolled in the prevalence survey (1992 to 1993) of the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging (ILSA). The entire population consisted of 5,632 elderly people, aged 65 to 84 years, randomly selected in 8 Italian municipalities. The present cross-sectional study included 400 free-living elderly subjects (74 +/- 6 years) from the randomized cohort of Casamassima (Bari, Southern Italy) (n = 704). The results showed that in the elderly population, high serum Lp(a) is a CAD risk factor dependent on type 2 diabetes mellitus and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. In particular, the combined effect of high Lp(a) (> or =20 mg/dl) and high LDL cholesterol (> or =3.63 mmol/L [> or =140 mg/dl]), increases coronary risk by 2.75 (95% confidence interval 7.70 to 0.99); finally, the effect of Lp(a) > or =20 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol > or =3.63 mmol/L (> or =140 mg/dl), combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus, increases risk of CAD by 6.65 (95% confidence interval 35.40 to 1.25). In the elderly, elevated Lp(a) levels appear not to be an independent predictor of CAD, but this lipoprotein is a risk factor only in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and elevated LDL cholesterol.     

北京老年人群轻度认知障碍患病情况及危险因素的抽样调查

目的抽样调查北京地区老年人群轻度认知障碍（MCI）的患病情况及其危险因素。方法2004年抽样调查北京地区≥60岁人群1865人,根据问卷调查及临床医师检查进行MCI诊断,分析其中资料完整的1750人的MCI患病情况及其危险因素。结果①1750人中,患MCI203例,患病率为11.6%。其中≥75岁者的患病率（123例,15.7%）高于〈75岁者（80例,8.3%）;文盲（130例,17.5%）高于非文盲（73例,7.2%）;农村（92例,19.4%）高于城区（111例,8.7%）;差异均有统计学意义（均P=0.000）。虽然女性患病率（111例,12.3%）高于男性（92例,10.8%）;无配偶的老人（77例,13.7%）高于有配偶的老人（126例,10.6%）,但差异无统计学意义。②在高血压、糖尿病、冠心病及卒中病史中,仅卒中对MCI患病率有影响（χ2=18.853,P=0.000）。经年龄、性别分层后,高血压、冠心病和糖尿病对年龄〈75岁、≥75岁及不同性别人群的MCI患病率仍无明显影响（P〉0.05）;而卒中可增加老年男性（χ2=16.858,P=0.000）、女性（χ2=4.531,P=0.045）及〈75岁（χ2=33.024,P=0.000）人群MCI的患病率。③随着患高血压、糖尿病、冠心病及卒中疾病种类的增加,在男性（χ2=11.119,P=0.004）和〈75岁人群中（χ2=6.117,P=0.047）,MCI的患病率也随之增加。④多因素Logistic回归分析显示,卒中（OR：2.134,95%CI：1.459～3.120）、居住在农村（OR：2.084,95%CI：1.502～2.893）、≥75岁（OR：1.853,95%CI：1.342～2.559）及文盲（OR：2.178,95%CI：1.517～3.128）是MCI患病的独立危险因素。结论卒中是老年人群患MCI的独立危险因素。对〈75岁人群及男性老人,预防卒中对预防痴呆的发生更有意义。     

老年糖尿病患者伴衰弱的营养管理

随着我国人口老龄化,老年糖尿病患病率逐年升高。老年糖尿病患者营养不良发生风险增高,更易导致衰弱的发生。糖尿病和衰弱的发生发展相互作用,从而对患者的临床结局产生不利影响。对老年糖尿病患者的衰弱早期识别并进行合理的营养支持,可以减缓或逆转衰弱进程,提高老年患者生活质量并减少医疗负担。本文就目前国内外对于老年糖尿病患者伴衰弱的营养管理研究进展予以综述。     

Scleroedema diabeticorum: a minor but often unrecognized complication of diabetes mellitus

The association of specific dermatological complications with diabetes mellitus is well recognized. Of 100 hospital-based patients with diabetes mellitus (age 48 years +/- 2SE), 14% had scleroedema diabeticorum. The affected subjects had a higher prevalence of retinopathy (p less than 0.001) and albuminuria (p less than 0.025). The duration of scleroedema correlated with the duration of diabetes (p less than 0.005). These findings highlight the relatively common occurrence of this skin condition which often goes unrecognized in people with diabetes.