[Known diabetes mellitus in Algeria: frequency and sequelae].

A sampling survey was carried out in Algiers in order to assess the frequency of the previously known diabetes mellitus and to appraise the handicap resulting from this disease. This study was undertaken among 1,302 households, i.e., 9,384 inhabitants. A questionnaire was used to identify people with diabetes. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 21.7 per thousand inhabitants while the annual incidence was estimated as 2.0 per thousand. 18.1% of previously known diabetics were insulin-treated. Diabetes became strikingly more prevalent with advancing age, being over 140 per thousand among women after 60 years. There was no significant difference in the prevalence rates of diabetes among the different social levels. Diabetes was scarcely revealed by a systematic examination (20%). More than one third of the diabetic patients were without any handicap. The most serious handicaps were notably observed among old people. Significant differences between the mean ridits of handicap were observed only when people over 60 were compared to the other age groups for physical independence, mobility and occupation.