[Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS)].

Characteristics of complications in diabetic patients in Japan have been poorly investigated to date. The Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS) is a multi center prospective study with 2,033 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Parameters related to diet, exercise, glycemic control, diabetic complications, dyslipidemia, hypertension and obesity are measured and assessed. Compared with Caucasian diabetic patients, patients in the JDCS had lower incidence of coronary heart disease. Other differences between Japanese and Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes could be found in risk factors and clinical significance of waist circumference or the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. These differences demonstrate the necessity of obtaining clinical evidence based on large-scale studies of Japanese patients in order to provide management and care specific to this population.