THE VALUE OF RANDOM BLOOD GLUCOSE DETERMINATIONS AS A SCREENING METHOD FOR DETECTING DIABETES MELLITUS IN THE ELDERLY INPATIENT

Urine tests for glycosuria are unreliable when used to screen elderly patients for diabetes mellitus. Random blood glucose values can be successfully used as a screening procedure to detect previously undiagnosed diabetes. They are especially useful in the early diagnosis of hyperosmolar non-ketotic diabetic corna.