research
Cardiovascular consequences of diabetes mellitus
- Publication date
- 22 September 1999
- Publisher
- Diabetes mellitus comprises a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of
disorders that have one common feature: abnormally high levels of glucose in
the blood. The most common form is non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
(NlDDM); about 80-90% of all diabetic patients has NlDDM. Other forms of diabetes
are insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (lDDM) and gestational diabetes.
• In 1985, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined new criteria for diabetes
mellitus based upon the oral glucose tolerance test (OGIT). During the
OGIT test the fasting glucose level is measured, followed by the measurement of
the glucose level, 2 hours after an intake of 75 g glucose. Depending on whether
the glucose levels have been measured in the blood, plasma or serum, cut-off
values have been defined. Three diagnoses can be made: normal glUcose
tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes mellitus.
The OGIT is often used in epidemiological research. However, in clinical
practice, the diagnosis diabetes is usually based on the presence of the classic
symptoms of diabetes (polyuria, hunger, thirst, weight loss, tiredness) combined
with a single abnormal blood glucose level, or on two abnormal levels without
complaints measured on different occasions.