Re: "1: Epidemiology and prevention of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome", by Shaw JE and Chisholm DJ in the 6 October 2003 issue of the Journal (Med J Aust 2003; 179: 379-383).

In the section "Who should be screened?" the reference number should be 14 rather than 13 and the year of publication of reference 14 is 2002 not 1992. The second paragraph of this section, should read "Screening should also be offered to people aged 45-54 years with one or more of the following:

• obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m²);

• a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes; or

• hypertension"

The authors also wish to add an Acknowledgement: readers are referred to the NHMRC Evidence Based Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes on case detection and diagnosis (from which the information in reference 14 is derived) and primary prevention, at www.diabetesaustralia.com.au or www.health.gov.au/nhmrc/publications/synopses/cp86syn.htm

The html and pdf versions of this article published on the eMJA website were corrected on 30 October 2003.