The prevalence of diabetes in a rural population of Jamaican adults

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and significance of related variables are described for a rural Jamaican community. The population of the defined survey area was enumerated by private census and all 696 persons aged 25-64 were requested to participate. A response rate of 77.3 percent was achieved. Blood samples were drawn after respondents and fasted and 1 hour after consumption of a 100 G glucose load (Glucola). Blood tests included blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, a 12 lead electrocardiogram and a PA chest X-ray were taken and a questionaire administered to elicit the occurrence of effort pain. Persons with 1 hour blood glucose levels of 180mg, percent or more were requested to undergo a 3 hour glucose tolerance test. Age specific rates for diabetes rose to 14.5 percent in males aged 45-54 and 17.0 percent in females aged 55-64. The percentage distribution of 1 hour glucose is given by age and sex. No relationship between number of live births and 1 hour blood glucose was found. In a comparison between non-diabetics, newly diagnosed and previously known diabetics, known diabetics of both sex had thicker infrascapular skinfolds, male new and known diabetics had higher cholesterol, and triglycerides increased from non-to known diabetics of both sexes. The validity of intersurvey comparison of diabetes rates is discussed and a alternative presentation of data is recommended. The lack of relationship between the diagnosis of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is also discussed.(AU)