Abstract
A recent survey of 149 806 non-institutionalized adults aged 18 years or older in the United States (US) showed that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) rose from 4.9% in 1990 to 6.5% in 1998, with an increase of 33% (2). Increases were observed in both sexes, all ages, all ethnic groups, all education levels, and nearly all states in US. The prevalence of DM in Asian-Pacific region as well as Hong Kong is also in the increasing trend (3). The age-standardized prevalence of DM in Hong Kong was 7.7% in 1990 and 8.9% in 1995. The same rate in Taiwan was 11% in 1995 and 8.1% in Singapore in 1992 (3). It is these alarming figures making us worry about the future medical burden that the society will face with DM patients. In addition, the economic burden of DM in the society will increase. In 1997, the total medical expenditure in US incurred by diabetic patients was US$ 10 071 per capita, compared with US$ 2669 for the non-diabetic population (4).
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