Ruige et al developed a questionnaire to screen adults for noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) based on symptoms and risk factors. This can help target patients at increased risk for diabetes. The authors are from Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.
Parameters:
(1) symptoms of thirst
(2) pain while walking
(3) shortness of breath while walking
(4) age
(5) gender and obesity
(6) parent or sibling with diabetes
(7) use hypertensive drugs
(8) attitude towards using a bicycle
|
Parameters |
Findings |
Points |
|
symptoms of thirst |
infrequent |
0 |
|
|
frequent |
3 |
|
pain while walking |
none |
0 |
|
|
present, with need to slow down |
3 |
|
shortness of breath when walking |
similar to other people of the same age |
0 |
|
|
greater than for others of the same age |
3 |
|
age in years |
< 55 |
0 |
|
|
55 - 59 |
2 |
|
|
60 - 64 |
4 |
|
|
65 - 69 |
6 |
|
|
70 - 74 |
8 |
|
|
75 - 79 |
10 |
|
|
80 - 84 |
12 |
|
gender and obesity |
female with BMI <= 29 kg per square meter |
0 |
|
|
female with BMI > 29 kg per square meter |
3 |
|
|
male with BMI <= 30 kg per square meter |
0 |
|
|
male with BMI > 30 kg per square meter |
8 |
|
parent or sibling with diabetes |
none |
0 |
|
|
1 or more |
3 |
|
use of antihypertensive drugs |
none |
0 |
|
|
present |
3 |
|
attitude towards a bicycle |
not reluctant |
0 |
|
|
reluctant |
3 |
where:
• Transporting the questionnaire would require finding an alternative measure for physical activity other than bicycling.
• The questionnaires ask if the person is taking antihypertensive drugs, but the question would exclude untreated hypertensives.
total score =
= SUM(points for all 8 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 38
• A score > 5 was the threshold for when to evaluate the patient for NIDDM.
Limitations:
• All adults >= 65 would be screened using this method even if no other symptoms are present.
Specialty: Endocrinology, Clinical Laboratory
ICD-10: ,
