Specificities of the Diabetic Population in French Guiana: The Health Barometer Survey

Aim: This study aims to identify the epidemiological and social characteristics of the diabetic population in French Guiana. Background: The prevalence of diabetes is very high in the French overseas departments. French Guiana is, however, a very atypical territory, closer in the epidemiological field to Latin America than European and French standards. Objective: To perform a descriptive analysis of variables related to renouncing medical care, social parameters, and use of healthcare services. Methods: A two-stage random sample of 1390 individuals aged 30 to 75 years was surveyed by telephone, and screening was initially done for diabetic versus non-diabetic individuals. Logistic regression was fitted on the sample to adjust for potential confounding factors. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the risk of diabetes as a function of the age of onset. Results: The prevalence rate of diabetes was 9.3%, particularly among women, for whom 20% had a history of gestational diabetes. Excess weight and obesity were found in 60% of people with diabetes. The diabetic individuals in French Guiana were younger than those in mainland France, and 30% of people with diabetes were on insulin. They often reported sleep problems, and their health status was described as poor. People with diabetes did not regularly consult a doctor and were very rarely followed up by a specialist. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of diabetes and obesity in French Guiana was one of the highest among the French territories, with specific vulnerabilities requiring to be addressed by local health policies.