Patterns and Outcomes of Diabetes in Canada studied using Administrative Data: The Ontario experience

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious and growing health problem. Approximately 6 % of Canadian adults have been diagnosed with DM; however, with the aging of the population and growing rates of obesity, the number of people with this condition is expected to rise. Canadian researchers place the economic burden of DM at an esti-mated $7 billion nationwide based on 1998 figures.1 Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, end-stage renal failure leading to dialysis, and ampu-tation. The complications associated with DM contribute to a heightened risk of disability, an impaired quality of life, and premature mortality. Until recently, few large-scale research initiatives focused on the impact of DM in Canada. The National Diabetes Surveillance System (NDSS) is an innovative strategy that will use existing administrative data sources to determine the incidence and prevalence of DM across regions and to examine the burden of DM on the health of Canadians and on the healthcare system.2 Previous estimates of the prevalence of DM relied on self-report from national surveys and may have underestimated the true prevalence of DM by up to 40%.3 Universal healthcare provides the opportunity t