RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the proportion of incidental to symptomatic diagnosis of diabetes and to compare the profile of symptomatic and incidentally diagnosed diabetic subjects. METHODS: One thousand newly diagnosed diabetic subjects (WHO criteria) were studied. Clinical, demographic, anthropometric details, blood pressure, glycaemic and lipid parameters were recorded. Reasons for medical check up were noted. RESULTS: Among the 1000 subjects, 29% were symptomatic for diabetes and 71% were incidentally diagnosed to have diabetes. Symptomatic subjects were younger, had higher glycaemia and prevalence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: The results show that majority of type 2 diabetic subjects remain asymptomatic and opportunistic screening for diabetes would be required for the early diagnosis of the disorder.