Diabetes mellitus in the Jamaican elderly

ABSTRACT

10.2 percent of 1318 people aged 60 to 97 years old interviewed in a community based survey in Jamaica reported that they had type II diabetes mellitus, and this was confirmed by appropriate blood and urine tests. The disease occurred more frequently in females (12.6 percent) of 669 interviewed than in males (7.8 percent of 649 interviewed), and was detected in an additional 2.96 percent of the study group who were not aware that they had the disease. Among the group of diabetics, 60.25 percent also reported that they were hypertensive, 63.1 percent were taking oral anti-diabetic tablets, and 20.4 percent reported having the disease for more than 20 years. 89.5 percent of the entire study group, and 88 percent of the diabetic population, were functionally independent.