Diabetes in the James Bay Cree communities of Québec, Canada

Using chronic disease registers, a list of physician-diagnosed diabetics was drawn up for the 8 James Bay Cree communities (total population 8840). Medical records were then consulted to ascertain the clinical histories of the patients. The World Health Organization definition of diabetes was applied to diagnosed cases and those not meeting the biochemical criteria were eliminated. A total of 235 persons with diabetes were found, giving a total prevalence of 2.7%. Prevalence of type II was 5.2% in the 20 years and older age group. Prevalence varied from 1.9% in the northernmost village to 9.0% in the southernmost Cree community. The Cree diabetic population is characterized by high levels of obesity and low rates of macrovascular diseases. Duration of disease and poor glycemic control (as reflected by the type of medication needed) influences the presence of microangiopathies