Prevalence and factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the indigenous population of Mexico: systematic review.

Abstract

Currently, diabetes represents a serious health problem, due to the complications it entails and because of its high mortality rate. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most prevalent and it is characterized by insulin resistance. The objective was to analyze the available scientific literature on prevalence and factors associated to T2DM in indigenous population of Mexico. Searches for articles published between 1990 and 2019 in English and Spanish were carried out in 13 electronic databases. Combinations of eight keywords were used according to the MeSH vocabulary. To select the studies, it was used the JBI’s Critical Appraisal Tools guide in Spanish for analytical prevalence studies. Out of 478, 12 cross-sectional studies reported T2DM prevalences from 12 indigenous groups located in Mexico: Huichol (0%), Mexican (0%), Tepehuano (0 and 0.83%), Mazateco (2.01%), Otomí (4.4%), Tojolabal (4.7%), Mixe (6.9%), Pima (6.9 and 9.0%), Zapoteco (8.7%), Maya (10.6%), Yaqui (18.3 and 14.8%) and Mixteco (19.0 and 26.2%). Factors associated with T2DM reported were being older, being female, less education level, presence of family history of T2DM, obesity, high blood pressure and increased waist-hip circumference. There is little evidence of the prevalence of T2DM in indigenous groups in Mexico. Studies found suggest a diversity of prevalences, ranging from lower to greater prevalences. Considering the risk factors associated with T2DM is essential to generate prevention strategies according to the context of each ethnic group, in order to improve the epidemiological landscape of diabetes in indigenous groups of Mexico.