Rapid Rise in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes From 1987 to 1996

Abstract

THERE IS abundant evidence that the prevalence of diabetes increased during the early part of the 20th century.¹ This trend was seen primarily in developing countries. However, recent studies indicate that diabetes prevalence continues to increase even in developed countries such as the United States.² In the past, diabetes prevalence data have been difficult to interpret because of changing diagnostic tests and criteria and increasing case ascertainment. However, recent data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), which applied standardized criteria to a probability sample of the entire US population, have shown an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes from 1988 to 1994.²