GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY AUTOPSY AND MORTALITY STUDY

Diabetes, Digestive, Kidney Diseases

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to relate outcome and causes of death to events or risk factors measured in life among Pima Indian residents of the Gila River Indian Community, particularly in relation to diabetes and its complications, cardiovascular diseases and gallbladder disease. The causes of death and postmortem characteristics of Pima Indians of the Gila River Indian Community are investigated. Death certificates are obtained on all members of the Gila River Indian Community who have taken part in the ongoing longitudinal studies of diabetes and its complications. Postmortem examination results and all available medical records pertaining to the subjects are reviewed to ascertain conditions present at the time of death and ascertain the underlying and contributory causes of death as precisely as possible. These records are reviewed in a standardized way for evidence of the complications of diabetes, vascular disease, neoplasia and other conditions. The records are used to determine the causes of death and incidence of complications associated with diabetes and other conditions identified initially during life by the longitudinal epidemiologic studies in the population. Detailed review of causes of death from 1965-1997 have been completed and those from 1998 to the present time are ongoing. Recent analyses have focused on the relationships of body mass index to death rates and the patterns of underlying cause of death in relation to obesity.