Diabetes mellitus in a Christchurch working population.

Using criteria recommended by the World Health Organisation, prevalence rates for diabetes mellitus have been determined in a Christchurch working population of adults aged 15-65 years. Ninety-three percent of 1047 workers employed by a large industrial group were screened for diabetes mellitus using 75 G oral glucose tolerance tests. Three point one percent of the survey group were diabetic--1.55% were known to have diabetes and a further 1.55% were new cases. In addition, 0.31% were considered to have gestational diabetes mellitus. Blood glucose elevations not diagnostic for diabetes mellitus were present in another 0.93%. By applying the criteria of the National Diabetes Data Group, slightly different prevalence rates were found--3.0% for diabetes mellitus and 1.14% for impaired glucose tolerance.