• Torben Jørgensen, Charlotte Glümer, and Knut Borch-Johnsen.
• Center for Sygdomsforebyggelse, Opgang 8. 7. sal, Amtssygehuset i Glostrup, DK-2600 Glostrup.
• Ugeskr. Laeg. 2002 Apr 15;164(16):2135-9.

AbstractBefore the introduction of screening for type 2 diabetes, it is necessary to evaluate not only the technology, but also the patient perspective, the economical consequences, and the organising aspects. A review of the relevant literature shows that type 2 diabetes is a rapidly increasing, serious disease. However, there is no documentation that systematic screening will have a positive effect on morbidity and mortality, owing to the lack of randomised clinical trials. The methods for screening could be optimised, and there is a lack of literature on patient perspective. Economical models indicate that opportunistic screening is more cost-effective than is systematic screening, but the lack of randomised trials makes the conclusion dubious. A decision to introduce systematic screening for type 2 diabetes should await the results of ongoing randomised clinical trials. In the meantime, efforts should be spent on improving the level of care for those already diagnosed with diabetes.

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