• M P Pioro, R F Dyck, and D C Gillis.
• Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon.
• Can J Public Health. 1996 Sep 1; 87 (5): 325-8.

ObjectiveTo determine age-specific, sex-specific and total prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus among Saskatchewan First Nations adults and to compare these rates by tribal grouping, geography and with non-First Nations people.DesignA point prevalence study of all Saskatchewan reserves in 1990.ResultsAge-adjusted rates of diabetes mellitus were higher (risk ratio 1.8) among First Nations adults (9.7%) than among non-First Nations adults (6.1%). These racial differences were greater between women (12.1 vs 6.6%) than men (7.2 vs 5.6%). First Nations diabetes rates were highest among individuals with Saulteaux and Sioux ancestry, and among those living on southern reserves.ConclusionsThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Saskatchewan First Nations people has increased from 0% to almost 10% within the adult population since 1934 and has more than doubled from 1980 to 1990. This epidemic manifests itself to a greater extent among women and certain tribal groups, possibly due to differences in exposure to non-traditional lifestyles.

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