A Retrospective Evaluation of the Burden of Diabetes in Grenada

Abstract

Alphonsus Ragbir and Satesh Bidaisee

Objective: To analyze the burden of diabetes in Grenada and to understand the local/national significance of interventions implemented to combat this burden.

Methods: Through analysis in trends of incidence, amputation procedures and gender discrepancies over the period 2008 – 2012.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences or trends (relationships) found between number of amputations and incidences of diabetes with respect to time respectively. There was also no statistically significant gender disparity with the incidence of diabetes. Most of the amputations performed in Grenada during 2008 - 2012 were below the knee and peripheral neuropathy, associated with type 2 diabetes, was found to be the leading reason for amputation.

Conclusion: While there was no definite trend found for the burden of diabetes in Grenada, the global incidence of chronic disease cannot be ignored. National preventative interventions to decrease the incidence of amputations should be focused on the role of peripheral neuropathy; which is what the Ipswich Touch Toe Test specifically targets.

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