The Effect of the Change in the Definition of Type 2 Diabetes on Patient Demographics

Abstract

In 1998 the definition of type 2 diabetes was revised, in particular the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) diagnostic level was lowered from 7.8 mmol/L to 7.0 mmol/L. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of this change on patient demographics. Materials & Methods: We reviewed data from 1700 type 2 diabetes patients, who attended the St. Paul’s Hospital Diabetes Teaching and Train-ing Centre before (group 1) and after (group 2) the definition change. Demographical data from a baseline and follow-up were analyzed. The frequencies of patients in groups and cohorts