The prevalences of diabetes and prediabetes increased with age and were more frequent among men. The detected prevalence in the Faroe Islands was slightly higher than other Nordic countries.

Aims The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide but little known about the status in the Faroe Islands. The aim was therefore to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes in two non-random populations aged 44–77 years. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2011 and 2012 and included two sub-populations, namely 518 Septuagenarians aged 74–77 years (84% of the invited) and 401 Mark aged 44–73 years (87% of the invited). Subjects were screened for glycosylated haemoglobin, type A1c, non-fasting random plasma glucose, fasting plasma glucose followed by an oral glucose tolerance test. The screening was based on a diagnostic algorithm that included screening, diagnostic and confirmatory steps. Results Each group was analysed separately. In the Septuagenarian group 20.4% had type 2 diabetes, with 5.2% being newly detected and a total of 59% had prediabetes. In the Mark group 4.1% had diabetes, with 2.1% being newly detected and 22.3% had prediabetes. Diabetes increased with age and was significantly more prevalent among men. Women had lower mean fasting plasma glucose concentrations and men had lower values for 2-hours plasma glucose. Significant predictors associated with diabetes mellitus included obesity (BMI ≥ 30, abnormal waist/hip ratio and vegetable consumption. Conclusions Among the Faroese populations studied, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increased with age and was more prevalent among men. The detected prevalence was comparable to other Nordic countries for all age-groups.