The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing as well as incidence of diabetes throughout the world; especially in some countries it is becoming alarming. The incidence of diabetes is increasing throughout the world, in some countries it is fast becoming sort of endemic and in some countries the increase in incidence is not much. Within a country also the rate of increase and prevalence is not same; in some regions it is highly prevalent whereas in some regions its prevalence is less. Because of the high prevalence of diabetes, the screening of diabetes is recommended.
The following are the reason why diabetes screening should be conducted routinely:
1. A large percentage of individuals who meet the current criteria for DM (diabetes mellitus) are not symptomatic and they are unaware that they have diabetes.
2. Many epidemiologic studies suggest that type 2 diabetes may be present for up to a decade before diagnosis is made and till that time they are asymptomatic and slowly develop complication without their knowledge.
3. Up to 50% of individuals with type 2 diabetes have one or more diabetes-specific complications at the time of diagnosis of diabetes.
4. With appropriate treatment of type 2 diabetes it is possible to favorably alter the natural history of diabetes. So screening is helpful.
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level should be strongly recommended if an individual has any of the following factors:
1. Family history of diabetes, especially any first degree relative (parents or sibling) with type 2 diabetes.
2. Obesity with a BMI (body mass index) of more than 25.
3. Previously identified IFG (impaired fasting glucose) or IGT (impaired glucose tolerance).
4. Race/ethnicity like African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander etc. are more prone to develop diabetes.
5. Habitual physical inactivity.
6. If individual is hypertensive and have high HDL cholesterol and/or a triglyceride level.
7. Birth weight more than 4 kg or 9 lb.
