Diabetes Cohort in French Amazonia

Diabetes is a very common disease in French Guiana. This disease is caused by the body's inability to metabolise sugar properly. A diet and treatment with tablets are enough for some patients, while others may need insulin injections. In the long term, high blood sugar levels may cause problems to the small and large blood vessels in the body. This is complicated by nerve, renal and retinal damage, as well as increased risks of cardiac and vascular events (such as strokes or heart attacks.) It appears that diabetes is more common and more severe in French Guiana than in other parts of France. It seems that the types of diabetes found here are more variable than those found in France, and that patients tend to be diagnosed at a later stage. We would this like to better understand diabetes and its evolution in French Guiana.

This research is aimed at diabetic patients and it is being carried out in the Andrée Rosemon Hospital Centre, the Ouest Guyanais Hospital Centre as well as in other Primary Healthcare Centres. At some point in the future, some private health centres may also invite their patients to take part in this study.