Epidemiologic features of diabetes mellitus among Indians in northwestern Ontario and northeastern Manitoba.

This descriptive epidemiologic study of diabetes mellitus among Indians in northwestern Ontario and northeastern Manitoba provided estimates of the prevalence of diagnosed cases: 28/1000 overall, 46/1000 for those aged 15 to 64 years and 96/1000 for those aged 65 years and over. Diabetes was more prevalent among women than men but was rare in children. More than half of the existing cases had been diagnosed within the last 5 years studied (1978-82). Comparisons with Canadians nationally and other North American Indian groups were made with caution owing to the different methods of case ascertainment. Duration of disease and pre-existing hypertension were found to be statistically significant risk factors for the development of complications of diabetes in this population.