Diabetes mellitus in the Tolais of the Gazelle Peninsula, New Britain.

Diabetes is relatively common in the Tolais of the Gazelle Peninsula. The syndrome has the clinical and biochemical features of maturity-onset diabetes, with a familial tendency, a tendency to obesity and insulin release in response to a carbohydrate load. There is a high incidence of microvascular complications in these patients, and the median survival time is between 4 and 5 years. Health workers should assess those at risk for this condition and try to provide regular supervision of diagnosed diabetics.