Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of diabetes mellitus in Chinese people aged 60 and over based on the data of China Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002.
Methods: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 9925 subjects, aged 60 and over were determined by glucose oxidase method and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was analyzed by gender and by regions.
Results: The average FPG of all subjects was 5.18 mmol/L adjusted by population distribution based on 2000 census. Over 29.5% of subjects in metropolis and 21.6% middle cities were determined as fasting hyperglycemia (FPG > or = 5.6 mmnol/L). The prevalence of DM in old subjects was 6.83%. The prevalence of DM in old subjects of metropolis, middle city, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th country was 16.97%, 11.43%, 4.94%, 4.70% and 1.94% respectively.
Conclusion: Over 21% of Chinese urban residences aged 60 and over suffer from fasting hyperglycemia and the prevalence of DM reached 13.17%.