Should we screen for type 2 diabetes: Yes

Type 2 diabetes is common, increasing in prevalence, and associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Current estimates suggest that there are about 3.1 million adults in England with diabetes, of whom roughly a quarter are undiagnosed.1 For several years many countries have been debating whether to screen for diabetes.2 The disease certainly meets many of the criteria for screening: its natural course is well characterised, it can be asymptomatic, many people remain undiagnosed, high numbers of people have complications at diagnosis, and there is now good quality evidence regarding effective management for those with established diabetes. There is also evidence that screening for diabetes does not result in any harm to patients.3 4 Although there has been some uncertainty about the uptake of a screening programme in the real world setting,5 we believe it should be implemented.