ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine condition which results in raised blood glucose due to incomplete or absent uptake of blood sugars by the cells of the body. There are two types of primary diabetes—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, affecting between 1:500 and 1:1000 children under 16; and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), with a prevalence at around 1% and a peak incidence in the 60s (40 – 50 years in Asians). It is very important that advice given in the practice is consistent. This will necessitate adequate involvement of all relevant parties in developing the practice approach to diabetic care. Although diabetes is usually suspected from the finding of a urine test positive for glucose, the diagnosis can only be established by a blood test. All patients with NIDDM should have a trial of strict dietary control, particularly if they are obese, before considering drug treatment.
