Abstract
Prognosis and the relationship between risk factors present at baseline and causes of death were studied using 1939 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (NIDDM) who were followed up for a mean period of 9.4 years. A total of 503 deceased cases were observed during the follow-up period. Risk factors present at baseline which markedly influenced the patients' prognoses included male gender, age at onset, hypertension, ischemic ECG changes, diabetic retinopathy, albuminuria, elevated fasting glucose level. Insulin treatment and GOT 60 were related to an increased mortality rate. These factors were also related to the causes of death among the deceased patients. Malignant neoplasms were relatively increased in patients with negative albuminuria, fasting glucose level<140mg/dl, and diet treatment at baseline, that is, in patients with diabetes or diabetic complications of mild degree.On the other hand, heart disease increased in patients with ischemic ECG changes, and serum cholesterol levels 260mg/dl. Renal disease markedly increased in those with diabetic retinopathy or persistent albuminuria, and cirrhosis of the liver in patients with GOT R 60. No remarkable influence of the baseline risk factors was observed in terms of cerebrovascular disease.Observation based on the O/E ratio revealed largely the same results.
