Asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetes mellitus

A study was undertaken to determine the frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria among 100 ambulant diabetic patients attending a diabetic outpatient clinic. At the same time, we assessed the reliability of the Uricult dip-slide method for detecting urinary bacterial growth. Significant bacteriuria occurred in 9% of the total diabetic group, largely attributable to the high prevalence in elderly diabetic women. Important characteristics of the affected diabetic patients included infection, commonly with Escherichia coli, frequently associated pyuria, good diabetic control with normal renal function and a high recurrence rate of bacteriuria after treatment. The dipslide method compared quite favourably with the laboratory culture method, but it failed to detect 2 out of 8 cases with significant bacteriuria.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1306 (1974)

Hyperlipidaemia, obesity and drug misuse in a diabetic clinic

A study of middle-aged and elderly patients attending a diabetic clinic has revealed a disturbing state of affairs. Hyperlipidaemia and obesity were very common but little attention was paid to implementing appropriate dietary regimens. Management was largely confined to the control of hyperglycaemia by using oral hypoglycaemic agents, especially combinations of sulphonylureas and diguanides. This situation is deplored. Firstly, it ignores the correction of factors which are as important, if not more so, than hyperglycaemia, in regard to the development of the most lethal complication of maturity-onset diabetes, namely occlusive atherosclerosis. Secondly, it substitutes for dietary therapy, which is physiological, treatment by drugs which are potentially harmful. It is probable that a similar situation obtains in many other diabetic clinics.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 277 (1974)

Prevalence of diabetes, glycosuria and related variables among a white population in Cape Town

No Abstrac

Selected risk factors for coronary heart disease in male scholars from the major South African population groups

A num.ber of risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in 7 groups of South African male scholars aged between 15 and 20 years were surveyed. Selection of the groups was based on socioeconomic status and comprised urban and rural blacks, Indians of higher and lower socio-economic status, coloureds of higher and lower socio-economic status, and middle-class whites. Both Indian groups, both coloured groups and the whites had a much greater prevalence and severity of CHD risk factors than the two black groups. This held for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), the HDLC/LDLC ratio, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, insulin, fibrinogen and mass. One exception was lipoprotein a, levels of which were higher in both black groups. In general the CHD risk factor profile was worse in the higher socio-economic groups, and it also tended to be worse in urban than in rural blacks. These findings stress the need to reduce CHD risk factors in our developed populations and to prevent their emergence in our developing peoples

Comparison of dextrostix/reflectance meter and auto-analyser methods of blood glucose determination

A study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of a new Dextrostix/Reflectance Meter  system for rapid blood glucose determinations over a wide range of values, in 390 consecutive patients attending a busy diabetic clinic. In each case a simultaneous  comparison with the ferricyanide reduction method on the auto-analyser was made.  While a good correlation existed between the two methods for blood glucose values below 200 mg/100 ml, above this level significant discrepancies became apparent.  Reasons for this are briefly considered and practical applications of the findings are discussed

Comparison of dextrostix/reflectance meter and auto-analyser methods of blood glucose determination

A study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of a new Dextrostix/Reflectance Meter system for rapid blood glucose determinations over a wide range of values, in 390 consecutive patients attending a busy diabetic clinic. In each case a simultaneous comparison with the ferricyanide reduction method on the auto-analyser was made. While a good correlation existed between the two methods for blood glucose values below 200 mg/100 ml, above this level significant discrepancies became apparent. Reasons for this are briefly considered and practical applications of the findings are discussed