Diabetes prevalence, incidence, and complications among Alaska Natives, 1987.

OBJECTIVE

To provide descriptive epidemiological data on diabetes mellitus among Alaska Natives, including incidence, updated prevalence, and incidence rates of ESRD, LEA, MI, and stroke in the diabetic population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In IHS and tribal contract hospitals and clinics throughout Alaska, Alaskan Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts living in Alaska with documented diabetes mellitus were studied from 1986 to 1987.

RESULTS

The number of diabetic patients increased from 610 to 708, and the prevalence changed from 15.7 to 17.4/1000 (not a statistically significant increase). Incidence rates per 10,000 diabetic person-yr for complications were 38 for ESRD, 69 for LEA, 92 for MI, and 92 for stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increased during the period of observation, but not to a statistically significant degree. Incidence rates for diabetes are lower than for the U.S. general population, but complications rates are as high as those in other diabetic populations.