Prevalence and characteristics of diabetes among homeless people attending shelters in Paris, France, 2006.

Chronic diseases are frequent in homeless people. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in people living in shelters and to describe the characteristics of homeless people previously diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes screening was systematically performed in nine shelters in Paris, from October to December 2006. We found a high prevalence of diabetes comparable with those of the general population, but a high frequency of major complications, in spite of a relatively young age, short duration since diabetes diagnosis and moderate glycaemic control. This study underlines the burden of diabetes among precarious people and supports the development of more effective strategies to improve diabetes management in this population, especially regarding podiatric care.