Screening for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The major obstacle to a recommendation for screening adults for NIDDM is the conflicting evidence that early detection and treatment reduce future complications. Because obesity is a risk factor for NIDDM, and hypertension in conjunction with NIDDM leads to early atherosclerosis, treatment is indicated for both hypertension and obesity whether or not NIDDM is present concurrently. It is clear that there are those who accept and those that reject the use of oral hypoglycemic agents. Accordingly, there are those who believe that the goal of NIDDM treatment is zealous glycemic control and those who are not so inclined. Whether or not to screen for NIDDM ultimately depends upon which view is adopted. While it may seem prudent to screen for and insist upon "tight" control of NIDDM, we should consider the effect of labeling asymptomatic persons from a positive test result. What are the repercussions regarding status of employment and insurance eligibility as compared to benefits of treatment? What is the psychosocial impact? Although no studies on the effect of labeling patients non-insulin-dependent diabetics could be located, a study of hypertension in an industrial setting demonstrated that patients labeled hypertensive had an increased absenteeism from work. Interestingly, the main factors associated with increased absenteeism were awareness of the condition and low compliance with treatment. Although the parallel to NIDDM is evident, additional studies are needed.