Report from the Cree Diabetes Information System (CDIS) 2017 Update

The number of Eeyouch/Eenouch with diabetes continues to increase at roughly the same rate as it has over the past decade and now includes 2,932 people (26.7% of adults over age 20) – more than one in four. However, the good news is that the number of new cases is remaining relatively stable, and over the past 15 years, the age at which people are being diagnosed has been gradually increasing. Women continue to outnumber men, the reverse of the pattern seen elsewhere.

Diabetes in young Eeyouch/Eenouch remains a big concern. Almost one person in five with diabetes is under the age of 40: this represents 560 people across the 9 communities (including 28 who are underage 20). Only by learning to live a healthy life with their diabetes will they prevent complications.

However, many of these younger people under age 20 are having difficulty managing their diabetes, with only about one third (39.4%)having their glucose at target levels. As of December 2017, they all have normal kidney function, although 60% of them are showing early kidney damage (with documented proteinuria). This age group requires special attention to help them learn to live a healthy life with diabetes, and prevent the progression of kidney damage.

Many Eeyouch/Eenouch have learned to manage their type 2 diabetes, while living for many years with the disease. In 2017, 526 had been living with their type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years. This number is encouraging, as it shows that an increasing number of people are living a balanced life while caring for their diabetes.

 Most Eeyouch/Eenouch are coming to the clinics for their blood tests to learn how they are managing. Only 9.8% had not had a blood test to assess their diabetes control (A1C) in the past 2 years. However, over a third (35%) have very high blood glucose (A1C >8.5%). This tells us that we, as healthcare workers in the CBHSSJB, may need to change our approach to diabetes management to better understand patient needs.

Prediabetes is an opportunity to make behavior changes that can prevent or delay the development of diabetes. If we look at the Eeyouch/Eenouch who have been diagnosed with prediabetes for at least 10 years (656 cases in the CDIS), 45% of them (292) were still diabetes-free 10 years after their diagnosis. They have managed to prevent or delay developing diabetes, most likely by making small but consistent changes in the way they stay healthy.