Improvements in Indicators of Diabetes-related Health Status Among First Nations Individuals Enrolled in a Community-driven Diabetes Complications Mobile Screening Program in Alberta, Canada

Objective The goal of Screening for Limb I Eye Cardiovascular, and Kidney complications of diabetes (SLICK) is to reduce the burden of diabetes among Alberta First Nations individuals By analyzing the longitudinal results of SLICK over a six year time span, our purpose was to examine both baseline diabetes related health status and whether subsequent improvements occurred Methods Diabetes complications screening diabetes education, and community based care were provided by mobile clinics which traveled to 43 Alberta First Nations communities biannually Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol and blood pressure as well as the presence of foot and kidney abnormalities were assessed among 2,102 unique subjects with diabetes Mean values of diabetes health indicators at baseline and subsequent visits for returning subjects were compared Secular trends were sought by examining trends in mean baseline health indicators per year Results High baseline rates of obesity poor HbA1c concentrations, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension foot abnormalities and kidney damage were observed Significant improvements in BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol and HbA1c concentrations were identified (p<0 01) in returning subjects Similarly, significant decreasing secular trends in total cholesterol and HbA1c concentrations were observed (p<0 01) At baseline females had a higher prevalence of obesity and abnormal waist circumference (p<0 05), however males had more inadequate HbA1c concentrations (>8 4%), hypercholesterolemia hypertension foot abnormalities and kidney damage (p<0 05) Discussion Despite worrisome baseline clinical characteristics, diabetes related health appears to be improving modestly in Alberta First Nations individuals