Diabetes mellitus in Hiroshima, Japan. A detection program and clinical survey.

Abstract

Available data prove that diabetes is not uncommon in Japan. In an adult study population in Hiroshima the prevalence rate was 3.02 per cent. Nearly one half of the patients were diagnosed initially as a result of the detection program. Although in females a trend with radiation exposure was suggested by the raw data, no statistically significant differences could be demonstrated. Clinical and laboratory studies were performed for 108 diabetic subjects. Although late manifestations of diabetes frequently were found, atherosclerotic complications were nonexistent. This is considered to be related to the low fat, high carbohydrate diet of the Japanese. The lack of ketosis, apparently low prevalence rate for juveniles, and male preponderance suggest that diabetes in Japan differs from the disease found in many Western countries. (auth)