Diabetes data--into the nineties
Glatthaar, C.
Medical Journal of Australia 151(8): 427-428
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 2593956 Document Number: 345040
Modern methods of management of the complications of diabetes at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne should be attainable throughout Australia. Earlier diagnosis of diabetes should be made where possible by educating the public and increasing awareness of the disease. Tasmanian Insulin-treated Diabetes Register reports that 90% of insulin treated diabetics are diagnosed in hospital, and outpatient management could be used to greater effect. Registers are being established in New South Wales and Western Australia though a national register may be feasible. Environmental as well as genetic factors contribute to the processes that destroy pancreatic beta -cells and prevention of insulin-dependent diabetes may be close. As numbers in Australia may be as high as 500 000, costing $A 1200 million per annum, an adequate national database is needed, for which a further study on diabetic mortality, its prevalence by glucose tolerance testing, and a national register are initial tasks.