725 people presenting to an Emergency Department at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne were randomly checked for diabetes.

19% were diabetic, and were being treated for it.

Of the remainder, more than 1 in 3 had suspicious markers for diabetes on blood tests.

1 in 8 of those who had further testing were found to have diabetes, and a further 1 in 5 had pre-diabetes, and were on their way to getting the disease.

Diabetes is a major cause of gangrene in the feet, blindness and kidney failure. "It is a real concern that people are underestimating the seriousness of the disease" said the study’s author, Professor George Jelinek, whose research is published in the journal Emergency Medicine Australia.

The complications of diabetes build up over many years, and employers should be aware that, with their workforces ageing, the effects will impact on them.

Lifestyle factors such as being overweight, lack of exercise and poor diet significantly increase a person's risk of diabetes. The good news is if people know they are at risk they can change their lifestyle and reduce the risk dramatically.

The message is, encourage your staff to be checked NOW.