The Diabetes Survey in Bergen, Norway, 1956

Abstract. A follow‐up study of 209 persons examined in the diabetes survey in Bergen in 1956 is discussed. The material was divided into five groups on the basis of laboratory findings from 1956. Latent diabetics. In 1956 diabetes was strongly suspected in most persons in this group. The follow‐up study showed positive diabetes in 21 of 23 persons. The average age of the men was 69, of the women 75. Two used insulin and 3 peroral antidiabetics. In the remainder the disease could be kept under control by diet. Diabetic complications of moderate degree were observed in 7 persons. The mortality during the observation period was 60% for both sexes. Cardiovascular disease was found in a large percentage of the deceased. Borderline cases. In this group diabetes was found to have developed in 8 of the 41 persons examined. The average age of the men was 65, of the women 70. The diabetics of this group had easily controllable diabetes. The diagnosis is still uncertain in 46% of the group. Glycosuria, non‐diabetics. Diabetes was found in 5 of the 41 persons examined. Screened positive, non‐diabetics. Diabetes was found in 2 of the 36 persons examined. Normal material. Diabetes was, somewhat surprisingly, found in 7 of the 68 persons examined. As the attendance at the followup survey was only 70%. it is possible that a certain degree of selection had taken place. It can therefore hardly be assumed that the prevalence of diabetes in this group is representative of the development of diabetes in the constituency of NygÅrd during the observation period. The follow‐up study also showed a considerable reduction in glucose tolerance during the observation period, the average levels of both fasting blood sugar and 2‐hour blood sugar after administration of glucose showing a clear increase in all diagnostic groups.