The Chennai Urban Population Study ( Cups ) - Methodological Details – ( Cups Paper No . 1 )

Field Surveys of diabetes and other non communicable disease (NCD) (hypertension, coronary heart disease) are increasingly being performed in both developed and developing countries [1]. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of diabetes is very high among migrant Asian Indians [2] and is also rising very rapidly within the Indian sub continent [3]. Indeed, recent World Health Organisation reports show that India already has the largest number of diabetic patients in the world [4]. Indians also have very high rates of premature coronary artery disease [5,6]. Earlier studies have reported on urban-rural differences in the prevalence of diabetes among South Indians [7]. However it is has been assumed by the earlier studies that the “urban” population is homogeneous in its increased susceptibility to diabetes and other components of metabolic syndrome. However, even within the urban environment, there are wide socioeconomic differences which could considerably influence the prevalence of diabetes and its risk factors.