Diabetes rates among Native alarm doctors

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Study shows one tribe affected by 41 per cent

It affects about five per cent of the population. But it has reached almost epidemic proportions among Natives, affecting one tribe, the Pima Indians, by 41 per cent of those aged 35 and older.

It is diabetes and it is occurring among Natives at rates that have doctors and researchers alarmed. "We noticed a high rate of maturity onset diabetes among the Natives we treated," said Dr. Ann Macauley of Kateri Memorial Hospital, just outside Montreal.

"It led us to do a study on diabetes and its complications." Kateri Memorial serves the Mohawk population of the Kahnawake reserve, population of approximately 5,163.

The 1981 study examined 544 people, 92 per cent of the registered Mohawks aged 45 to 64 years on the reserve. Twelve per cent were found to be diabetic, more than twice the rate reported among the North American white population.

"Diabetes among Natives is almost exclusively maturity onset," said Macauley. "Juvenile diabetes is rare."

Maturity onset diabetes usually occurs among middle to late age groups and is frequently a result of obesity. Treatment includes diet, medication and exercise. If left untreated it may often result in insulin dependent diabetes.

Juvenile diabetes, also known as insulin dependent diabetes usually occurs in the early to teen years and is believed to be genetically determined. It usually results in the near complete failure of the pancreas and is treated through diet, exercise and insulin injections.

Among the diabetes studied by Macauley and Kateri Medical director, Louis Montour, four out of five were also found to be obese. "It is the change in lifestyle that is leading to the high incidence of diabetes and obesity in Natives," said Macauley.

A study such as that done at Kateri was also carried out by two researchers at the University of Manitoba. There, Dr. Michael Moffat and Dr. Kue Young discovered diabetes occurring among Natives at almost three times the rate of the general population.

Their study was conducted in 30 communities in northwestern Ontario and northeastern Manitoba.

While their study concurred with the Kateri study on the rare incidence of diabetes in children, they found that female diabetics occurred at twice the rate of males. The Kateri study showed a more even occurrence among men and women.

The Kateri study also looked into the occurrence of complications commonly affecting diabetics. Heart attack, stroke, gangrene, blindness and kidney failure are all possible complications. The results of the study are not yet available but preliminary observations indicate no increase in their occurrence among diabetic Natives over that of non-diabetic Natives.

Warning signs of diabetes are an increase in thirst, frequent urination, rapid weight loss, increase in hunger and being constantly tired. Should any of the symptoms occur it is advisable to consult your physician.

While most medical centres on reserves of have medical staff to counsel and treat diabetes, Macauley believes prevention is the best medicine.

"Through regular exercise and a balanced diet, obesity and consequently diabetes can be prevented."