High Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Nephropathy in Polynesians of Western Samoa

Diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria are common in Polynesian Western Samoans. Duration of diabetes and level of glycemia were the most important associated factors. These data underline the need for cost-effective programs for the detection and early treatment of diabetes in Western Samoa and other developing populations with high susceptibility to NIDDM.