Diabetes in Mississippi Choctaw Indians.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a registry of patients with diabetes and determine the point prevalence of diabetes in the Mississippi Choctaw Indians at the end of September 1989.


METHODS
A survey of diabetes cases was conducted, using the NDDG criteria for diagnosis with comparison to U.S. rates determined from the 1979-1981 NHIS. IHS-supported hospital and outpatient clinics serving the Choctaw Indians of Mississippi were the setting. Medical charts of patients on the computer record of outpatient visits seen for diabetes and laboratory lists of patients who had elevated blood glucose levels in 1988 were reviewed.


RESULTS
The age-adjusted prevalence of 163.2/1000 population was 6.5 times (95% CI 4.3-9.8) the U.S. rate. The prevalence of diabetes in the Choctaw Indians was significantly higher than the U.S. rates for all age-groups except for those < 15 yr of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention programs are urgently needed to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and its complications in this southeastern tribe. The registry system is being used to gather information on the prevalence and incidence of diabetic complications and associated risk factors to guide programs.
Johnson
L G
LG
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Health Department, Philadelphia.
Strauss
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology