Studies of drug-treated diabetes in the county of Jämtland, Sweden, based on prescription of insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs.

Epidemiological data on drug-treated diabetes mellitus was obtained by analyzing prescriptions of insulin and oral antidiabetics in the county of Jämtland Sweden. During a 12-year period, from 1971 to 1982, the prevalence of diabetes increased from 1.5% to 2.2%, while there was no significant change in the annual incidence of around 2.7/1000 inhabitants. Women displayed a considerable higher prevalence and incidence than men in the over 70 age-group, while in the 50 - 69 age-group there was a male dominance. A significant change in the prescription pattern with an increased use of insulin and decreased use of oral antidiabetics was observed during the period. More patients were started on oral antidiabetics during the first part of the year than during the latter.