[Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in indigenous people from Aldeia Jaguapiru, Brazil].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance in indigenous people from Aldeia Jaguapiru, in Dourados, state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

METHODS

Between August 2007 and July 2008, individuals aged 18-69 years were evaluated. To obtain the simple random sample for the study, 349 houses were picked from among the total 1 255 houses in the village. Pregnant women, nonindigenous individuals, and their descendents, and those using glucocorticoids were excluded from the sample. Six hundred and six people were studied (268 men and 338 women). Capillary glucose was measured with a glucose meter, and the oral glucose tolerance test was performed as necessary.

RESULTS

A 4.5% prevalence was observed for DM and 2.2% for impaired glucose tolerance, with higher frequency among women. Among diabetics, 44.4% had not been previously diagnosed. Obesity was present in 14.2% of men and 30.8% of women. The prevalence of hypertension was 29.7% for the overall group and 67.5% in diabetics and individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. There was no statistical relationship between smoking and the presence of DM and impaired glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of DM and impaired glucose tolerance was lower in this sample compared to the Brazilian population. However, the prevalence of obesity was higher, and that of hypertension was similar. Nutritional guidance and encouragement of physical activity are recommended in Jaguapiru as preventive measures for DM.