but, because of age differences and other factors
Group
Nu.
peuple®
No.
cus
a
Na,
cas
%
previously stated, covariance must be climinated
fom the date before these observations can be
evaluated. (Neuropathy was evaluated an the
basis of history of parcsthesias and/or objective
abnormatisies it rellexes and sensory percepion.)
The Sinited data available didi not suggest evidence for increased retinopathyor peripheral vas-
Rongelap
and Uticik
373
los
27.5
ao
75
with absence of acute svinptonis, ketosis, and abe
Male
Female
bie
ta
4
ol
7
29
7
1
ws
5.1
wwhate dependence on tasulin treatunent.
Ohese
bie
att
St
+
a
Uiirik
201
37
4
244
wa
Rangelap and Ciisik people (genetics) of beacon
places of residence (covironmental intlucnace), and
there is no evidence that radiation exposure lies
plaved a part ia the pathogenesis, The dillcrences
Resicing at**
Majuro
120
37
MY
38
ul
bi
2h
wouter islands” and the district comers are consid.
erable and mvght well play a significant role in
2
Kongelup
Ebese
Ronuelap
Usirsk
I.
ta
2s
low
10
4
more closely resembles maturity onset diabetes
Whe dite da net suugest any differences between
in dict and general living conditions between the
lie
a
‘
“Tnchides 10 subjects from: ouier atolls, paarricd to Ron
gelup and Carik people.
*tncludes both Rougelap and Ciisik people residing al
these lava tions.
Marshall Islands is considerable and is probably
greater than in any other population groups exe
cept possibly certain American E[ndian groups!
Although same previous reports have indicated a
high incidence of diabetes in some Polynesian
populations6 others have suguested a law
incidence 38+
The overall incidence of diabetics was 20%, and
~ Hoof these patients were unaware of their ab-
normality. The average age of the diabetics was
considerably greater than that of the noodiabetion,
The disease appears to be as comman in males as
in fesides, but a definite statement must await
pathouenesis. However, analysis of this factor is
diilicult because of the mobility of the people, wha
constantly move between home iskind and de
centers; the place where an individual is exam,
ined may not be where he has spent ue major part
uf, say, the bast 10 years,
Despite the limitations, the preliminary results
are considered to be of suflicient interest to warrant amare careful and complete investigauen,
Additional observations will be made to provide
the missing information and to obtain more objec:
tive data regarding the mcidence of neaopatiy,
cataracts, and retinopathy ia these paticnts. Uhe
Risulin rospoasc toa glucose challenge would also
be of interest in assessing same of the factors that
might be dapartaatia the coolopy of diabetes in
the Muasrsdiall Islas.
The csuninations are by nccessity restrictca to
Rongelip and Uiiik peaple. When the Eniwetok
aad Bikind peaple returaie thete home iskanes in
Mere CommMOen ta women than in inen, and the
wallicient number, the dinbetos investigations
Quay be expanded te cover these groups.
subjects. Cataracts scemed to be much mare commonin the dighcGcs than ja the noadiabetics, but
H. CHROMOSOME AND GENETIC STUDIES
campletion of the data analysis. Obesity was much
data iadicate an increased incidcace among obese
this would certabily be alluenced by the older age
of the diabetic population, No definite diflercnce
was seen in the incidence of cataracts among individuais known tu have diabetes compared with
those in whoa the diagnosis was made during this
survey. Nsignificanuly higher percent of the dia-
1. Studies of Chromosomes for Radiation Effects
fa 1900 chromesome preparations were ob-
tained from lyiiphocytes cultured from the periph
eral blood of 44 exposed (21, age << 20;+ 22,
=o, age
be ee ee
Son-obest
cular disease among the diahetios, “Vhe disease
etl ee
Diabetes
Cilycamuria
with normal
bohowal seguir
ema ee ee ee
Diabries Survey: Preliminary Results, [674
Ride tele eel 84
betics than of the nondiabetics had ncurepathy,
Table 20