To study the prevalence of recognized and unrecognized
hyperglycaemia (defined as fasting blood glucose > or = 140 mg/dL
and/or random blood glucose > or = 200 mg/dL on two or more
occasions), data were collected from Jordan University Hospital
on all hospital deaths in those > or = 20 years of age, for the
years 1995-97. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 35.3%
and 19.2% were missed cases of hyperglycaemia; of the missed
cases, 65.7% had a blood glucose level > 250 mg/dL. Thus, the
prevalence of missed hyperglycaemia among hospitalized patients
is high, and greater vigilance needs to be exercised by
physicians and other health professionals in reviewing
laboratory results, especially those related to diabetes.
Institution
Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Jordan
University Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
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