The national study, known as Entred (short for "National Representative Sample of People with Diabetes"), began in March 2002. This study is coordinated by the National Association for the Coordination of Diabetes Networks (Ancred). Entred has two objectives: first, to describe, evaluate, and monitor the health of retired diabetic patients living in mainland France, as well as the methods and outcomes of their medical care; second, to evaluate healthcare networks for diabetic patients by comparing patients followed within these networks to those followed in standard clinical practice. Thanks to its renewal every three years, Entred would become a diabetes surveillance system. (R.A.)