Low prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in indigenous comunities of Durango, Mexico

RESUMO

To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in inhabitants of traditional indigenous communities from Durango, Mexico, a transversal descriptive study was conducted. Tepehuano, Huichol and Mexicanero tribe members without racial admixture and a mminimal Western influence on lifestyle were studied. One hundred and ninety-three subjects were included, this figure corresponding to approximately 20 percent of subjects aged from 30 to 64 years of the target population. Glycemia was determined in capillary blood after an overnight fast 10-12 h, and 2 h after a 75 g oral glucose load using a Glucometer II device; NIDDM diagnosis was established according to the WHO criteria. Personal risk factor of NIDDM were determined. The average glucose level was 87.5 ñ 19.3 mg/dl. There were no NIDDM cases, hence the prevalence was 0.0 percent. The personal risk factors profile for NIDDM were as follows 0.0 percent of cases with family history of NIDDM and with residency in urban areas =40 percent of their lifetime, 7.2 percent of obese subjects and 15.5 percent of subjects with alcohol intake =8 g/day. The absence of NIDDM suggests that this disease may be rae in traditional indigenous communities of Mexico and may be associated with less exposure to risk factors or genetic differences