Diabetic end-stage renal disease among Native Americans

To examine why ESRD has become a major source of morbidity and mortality for Native Americans with diabetes mellitus.

Using data from the Medicare ESRD Program, we examined incidence rates for ESRD among Native Americans for the years 1983-1987.

During this period, the annual incidence of total ESRD in Native Americans increased by 18%, from 170.5/million to 200.1/million. The incidence of diabetic ESRD increased by 47%, from 80.6/million to 118.2/million. In 1987, the age-adjusted incidence rate of diabetic ESRD was 6.8 times higher in Native Americans than in whites.

Recommendations for the prevention of diabetic ESRD include early identification of renal disease and improved control of hypertension and blood glucose. The magnitude of diabetic ESRD among Native Americans also underscores the need for primary prevention of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.