34 betics than of the nondiabetics had neuropathy, Table 20 Diabetes Survev: Preliminary Results, 1974 Glycosuria Diabetes Grqup No. No. with normal blood sugar No. people* cases %e cases % 375 103 27.5 29 7.5 Male Female 180 195 48 51 26.7 25.9 1? 10 9.4 3.1 Obese Non-obese 196 136 38 22 29.6 16.2 18 10 9.2 7.4 Uurtk Rongelap 201 174 37 46 28.4 26.4 Residing at** Majuro Ebeye Rongelap Uank 120 116 38 81 37 29 16 21 30.8 25.0 27.6 25.9 Rongelap and Utirik *Includes 10 subjects from otheratolls, married to Rongelap and Utirik people. ** Includes both Rongelap and Utirik people residing at these locations. Marshall Islands is considerable and is probably greater than in any other population groups except possibly certain American Indian groups.§4 Although someprevious reports have indicated a high incidence of diabetes in some Polynesian populations,§5-69 others have suggested a low incidence.68-70 . Theoverall incidence of diabetics was 26%, and —~ % of these patients were unawareoftheir abnormality. The average age of the diabetics was considerably greater than that of the nondiabetics. The disease appears to be as commonin males as in females, but a definite statement must await completion of the data analysis. Obesity was much more common in women than in men, and the data indicate an fcreased incidence among obese subjects. Cataracts seemed to%e much more common in the diabetics than in the nondiabetics, but this would certainly be influenced by the older age of the diabetic population. No definite difference Wax seen in the incidence of cataracts amongindividuals known to have diabetes compared with those in whom the diagnosis was made duringthis survey. A significantly higher percentof the dia- but, because of age differences and otherfactors previously stated, covariance must be eliminated from the data before these observations can be evaluated. (Neuropathy was evaluated on the basis of history of paresthesias and/or objective abnormalities in reflexes and sensory perception.) The limited data available did not suggest evidence for increased retinopathy or peripheral vascular disease among the diabetics. The disease more closely resembles maturity onset diabetes with absence of acute symptoms, ketosis, and absolute dependence on insulin treatment. The data do not suggest any differences between Rongelap and Uunikpeople (genetics) or between places of residence (environmental influence), and there is no evidence that radiation exposure has played a part in the pathogenesis. The differences in diet and generalliving conditions between the “outer islands” and the district centers are considerable and might well play a significant role in pathogenesis. However, analysis of this factoris difficult because of the mobility of the people, who constantly move between homeisland and the centers; the place where an individual is examined may not be where he has spent the major part of, say, the last 10 years. Despite the limitations, the preliminary results are considered to be of sufficient interest to warrant a morecareful and complete investigation Additional observations will be made to provide the missing information and to obtain more objective data regarding the incidence of neuropathy, cataracts, and retinopathyin these patients. The insulin response to a glucose challenge would also be of interest in assessing some ofthe factors that might be importantin the etiology of diabetes in the Marshall Islands. The examinations are by necessity restricted to Rongelap and Utirik people. When the Eniwetok and Bikini people return to their home islands in sufficient numbers, the diabetes investigations may be expanded to coverthese groups. H. CHROMOSOME AND GENETIC STUDIES 1. Studies of Chromosomesfor Radiation Effects In 1964 chromosome preparations were obtained from lymphocytes cultured from the periph- eral blood of 43 exposed (21, age <(20; 22, age