CMAJ
Volume 182, Issue 8, 2010, Pages 781-789

Age- and sex-related prevalence of diabetes mellitus among immigrants to Ontario, Canada (Article) (Open Access)

Creatore M.I. , Moineddin R. , Booth G. , Manuel D.H. , DesMeules M. , McDermott S. , Glazier R.H.
  • a Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Keenan Research Centre, Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, Institute for Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • b Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • c Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Keenan Research Centre, Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • d Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • e Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • f Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • g Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Keenan Research Centre, Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract

Background: The majority of immigrants to Canada originate from the developing world, where the most rapid increase in prevalence of diabetes mellitus is occurring. We undertook a population-based study involving immigrants to Ontario, Canada, to evaluate the distribution of risk for diabetes in this population. Methods: We used linked administrative health and immigration records to calculate age-specific and age-adjusted prevalence rates among men and women aged 20 years or older in 2005. We compared rates among 1 122 771 immigrants to Ontario by country and region of birth to rates among long-term residents of the province. We used logistic regression to identify and quantify risk factors for diabetes in the immigrant population. Results: After controlling for age, immigration category, level of education, level of income and time since arrival, we found that, as compared with immigrants from western Europe and North America, risk for diabetes was elevated among immigrants from South Asia (odds ratio [OR] for men 4.01, 95% CI 3.82-4.21; OR for women 3.22, 95% CI 3.07-3.37), Latin America and the Caribbean (OR for men 2.18, 95% CI 2.08-2.30; OR for women 2.40, 95% CI: 2.29-2.52), and sub-Saharan Africa (OR for men 2.31, 95% CI 2.17-2.45; OR for women 1.83, 95% CI 1.72-1.95). Increased risk became evident at an early age (35-49 years) and was equally high or higher among women as compared with men. Lower socio-economic status and greater time living in Canada were also associated with increased risk for diabetes. Interpretation: Recent immigrants, particularly women and immigrants of South Asian and African origin, are at high risk for diabetes compared with long-term residents of Ontario. This risk becomes evident at an early age, suggesting that effective programs for prevention of diabetes should be developed and targeted to immigrants in all age groups. © 2010 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

educational status immigrant immigration human risk assessment diabetes mellitus controlled study Aged Western Europe income South Asia North America social status male Canada female risk factor primary prevention medical record high risk population population research prevalence Article major clinical study adult gender
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77953318829&doi=10.1503%2fcmaj.091551&partnerID=40&md5=f6f01a813b02988f5792ea5d4b5bbcaf
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.091551
ISSN: 08203946
Cited by: 134
Original Language: English