[The non-insulin-dependent diabetic (type II) in Tahiti].

The authors report on the monitoring in the Diabetology Service of the Territorial Hospital Center of Papeete (French Polynesia) of 51 Polynesians, diabetics non insulin-dependent over periods of 12 to 30 months (average 26.5 months) from July 1988 to December 1991. 31 males and 20 females (sex-ratio 1.5). Mean age: 55.9 (extremes: 22 and 76 old years). Non insulin-dependent diabetes risk factors: heredity (43%), obesity (67%), new-born babies with a weight more than 4 kg (10%). Revealing factors of diabetes: systematic check-up (37%), clinical complications (36%), cardinal signs (20%). Recorded complications are: 1. microangiopathy: nephropathy (25%) including 7 renal insufficiency and 2 patients under dialysis; retinopathy (29%); 2. macroangiopathy: cardiovascular accident 1 case; angor 4 cases; obliterative arteritis of inferior limbs 5 cases; 3. neuropathy 9 cases (17%); 4. high arterial tension 55%; 5. metabolic complications (20%): 4 acidocetosis; 2 hyperosmolar coma; 4 severe hypoglycemia; 6. 16 diabetic feet (32%) among them 8 amputations; 7. 45 infectious complications in 27 patients are reviewed. Review of the complications according to diseases ancientness; before 10 years of evolution, each patient suffered of at least one complication, after 10 years, each patient got an average of 2 complications. Review of diabetic balance: 80% of the patients present a mean glycemia greater than 1.50; 54% present a postprandial glycemia greater than 2 gr. and 34% a A1 C Hb greater than 9%. The possible treatments are reviewed. During this monitoring, mortality was one case; 35 patients were admitted totaling 881 days of hospitalization.