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 and fifty-two subjects with the diagnosis of chemical diabetes made on the basis of these three criteria, were followed for a maximum of 12 years, and the data observed were analyzed by the life-table technic. Fifty-two per cent of the cases diagnosed according to the United States Public Health Service criteria (fasting blood sugar level of 110, one-hour levels of 170, two-hours levels of 120 and three-hours levels of 110 mg per 100 ml) progress to decompensation of carbohydrate control within 10 years of the diagnosis, as estimated by life-table analysis, whereas only 32 per cent diagnosed by the Fajans and Conn criteria, and 21 per cent diagnosed by the Mosenthal and Barry, show similar progression. Body weight and a family history of diabetes had no appreciable effect on these findings.