New findings by Chinese researchers indicate that China may have the world's highest diabetes-related burden, including many undiagnosed cases (Yang W et al. N Engl J Med. 2010;362[12]:1090-1101).
After an overnight fast, study participants, a nationally representative sample of more than 46 000 adults aged 20 years or older, underwent an oral glucose tolerance test; plasma glucose was measured in blood samples taken up to 2 hours after participants consumed a standard glucose solution (or, for those with self-reported diabetes, a steamed bun). About 10% had diabetes, previously diagnosed and undiagnosed, a number that translates to 92.4 million adults aged 20 years or older. In addition, another 15% were diagnosed as having the impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance that signifies prediabetes.