Objective— To establish a registry of patients with diabetes and determine the point prevalence of diabetes in the Mississippi Choctaw Indians at the end of September 1989.
Research Design and Methods— A survey of diabetes cases was conducted, using the NDDG criteria for diagnosis with comparison to U.S. rates determined from the 1979–1981 NHIS. IHS-supported hospital and outpatient clinics serving the Choctaw Indians of Mississippi were the setting. Medical charts of patients on the computer record of outpatient visits seen for diabetes and laboratory lists of patients who had elevated blood glucose levels in 1988 were reviewed.
Results— The age-adjusted prevalence of 163.2/1000 population was 6.5 times (95% CI 4.3–9.8) the U.S. rate. The prevalence of diabetes in the Choctaw Indians was significantly higher than the U.S. rates for all age-groups except for those <15 yr of age.
Conclusions— Intervention programs are urgently needed to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and its complications in this southeastern tribe. The registry system is being used to gather information on the prevalence and incidence of diabetic complications and associated risk factors to guide programs.
