Screening for type 2 diabetes in the Iranian national programme: a preliminary report

Diabetes mellitus is a significant threat to public health. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million people with diabetes live in the Islamic Republic of Iran. We report on the preliminary results of the national programme for the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes which began in 1996. The pilot project has so far been instituted in 17 provinces. Of 595 717 people aged 30 years and over, 247 518 were classed as at risk and 3.6% had diabetes, 4.3% of women and 2.6% of men. Diabetes prevalence varied from 1.3% in rural areas to 14.5% in large cities. Early detection and control strategies are aimed at diminishing the heavy burden of diabetes