Diabetes mellitus: prevalence and local risk factors in a primary health care district.

In the present comparative study of recent surveys the highest reported prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Sweden, 4.0% is found in the Kinda Primary Health Care District after age-standardization to that for the total Swedish population (3.3%). Even after critical evaluation of survey methods and diagnostic criteria, it appears that true regional differences in prevalence occur. Therapy traditions also differ, especially with elderly patients. No important local risk factor could be identified. A preventive programme is discussed. Any such programme must be based on current and future epidemiological data in a model comprising incidence, prevalence, mortality, and diabetic complications in order to be able to evaluate its effects.