Racial and ethnic differences in cardio-metabolic risk in individuals with undiagnosed diabetes: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2008

Trends in lipid profiles and control of LDL-C among adults with diabetes in the United States: An analysis of NHANES 2007-2018

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To determine trends in lipid profiles and lipid control in US adults with diabetes and assess variation in these trends across sex and race/ethnicity from 2007 to 2018.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Serial cross-sectional analysis of data from diabetic adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2007-2008 to 2017-2018). Among the 6116 participants included (weighted mean age, 61.0 years; 50.7% men), age-adjusted TC (p for trend < 0.001), LDL-C (p for trend < 0.001), TG (p for trend = 0.006), TG/HDL-C (p for trend = 0.014) and VLDL-C (p for trend = 0.015) decreased significantly. Age-adjusted LDL-C levels were consistently higher in women than in men over the study period. Age-adjusted LDL-C improved significantly for diabetic whites and blacks but did not change significantly for the other races/ethnicity. Lipid parameters improved for non-coronary heart disease (CHD) diabetic adults, except for HDL-C, while no lipid parameter significantly changed for diabetic adults with concomitant CHD. Among diabetic adults receiving statin therapy, age-adjusted lipid control remained unchanged from 2007 to 2018, as did adults with concomitant CHD. However, age-adjusted lipid control improved significantly for men (p for trend < 0.01) and diabetic Mexican Americans (p for trend < 0.01). In 2015-2018, female diabetic participants receiving statins had lower odds of achieving lipid control (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.35-0.84; P = 0.006) than men. Differences in lipid control across different races/ethnicities no longer existed.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipid profiles improved in the US adults with diabetes from 2007 to 2018. Although rates of lipid control did not improve nationally in adults receiving statins, these patterns varied by sex and race/ethnicity.

Undiagnosed diabetes among Hispanic and white adults with elevated haemoglobin A1c levels

AIMS

The aim of this study is to compare the frequency and correlates of undiagnosed diabetes between Hispanic and white American adults ages 20 and older with known diabetes or elevated HbA_1c .

METHODS

Using 2007 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey data, 1792 white and Hispanic Americans age 20 and older with known diabetes or elevated HbA_1c (≥6.5%) were included in the analysis. Undiagnosed diabetes was defined as elevated HbA_1c more than or equal to 6.5% without prior diabetes diagnosis. Covariates included demographics, health care access, and survey language.

RESULTS

Hispanics were younger (54.92 vs 61.45 y, p < .001) and had a higher rate of undiagnosed diabetes (28.2% vs 18.0%, p < .001) than their white counterparts. For Hispanics, those with undiagnosed diabetes had higher mean HbA_1c than those with known diabetes (p = .03), but no significant difference was found between diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes among whites. Covariates that decreased the odds of undiagnosed diabetes among Hispanic Americans included having a routine place to receive health care. For whites, covariates that decreased the odds of undiagnosed diabetes were a higher ratio of income to poverty level, having health insurance and having a routine place for health care.

CONCLUSION

The high proportion of unknown diabetes among Hispanic Americans suggests the need for a culturally competent health campaign to improve community diabetes awareness. Emphasizing the importance of having a routine place of health care for regular health check-ups and expanded community resources for diabetes early detection and prevention among this population could decrease the burden of diabetes.

Prevalence and predictors of delayed clinical diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes: a longitudinal cohort study

AIMS

To examine the prevalence and person-level predictors of undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes among adults with elevated HbA1c values.

METHODS

We identified adults without diabetes who had a first elevated HbA1c (index HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol; ≥ 6.5%) between January 2014 and December 2015, and classified them by Type 2 diabetes diagnosis status at 1 year following this result. Multilevel modelling techniques were used to examine the association of individual demographic, clinical, and utilization characteristics with remaining undiagnosed. We quantified differences in early Type 2 diabetes care between diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals.

RESULTS

Of the 18 356 adults with a first elevated index HbA1c , 30.2% remained undiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 1 year later. Individuals with lower index HbA1c values [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.21-6.78 for 48 to <53 mmol/mol (6.5% to 7.0%); referent 53 to <64 mmol/mol (7.0% to <8.0%)], who were ≥ 70 years old (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.24-1.59; referent 50-59 years), and who had a prior prediabetes diagnosis (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.24-1.47; referent no prediabetes) had increased odds of remaining undiagnosed. After adjusting for age, race, and index HbA1c , remaining undiagnosed was associated with lower odds of initiating metformin (aOR 0.06, 95% CI 0.05-0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost one-third of adults with an elevated HbA1c value were not diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within 1 year. Undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, in turn, was associated with differences in early care. Strategies that leverage the electronic health record to facilitate earlier diagnosis may help reduce delays and allow for early intervention towards the goal of improved outcomes.

Comorbid hypertension and diabetes among U.S. women of reproductive age: Prevalence and disparities

AIMS

Diabetes is associated with significant pregnancy complications, which can be further exacerbated by comorbid hypertension. Racial/ethnic differentials in the burden of comorbid hypertension and diabetes among women of reproductive age have not been described.

METHODS

Using Wave IV of the nationally representative National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we analyzed survey and biological data from 6576 non-pregnant women who were aged 24-32 in 2007-2008. Hypertension and diabetes were identified by self-report of diagnosis and biological measurements taken during in-home interviews. We used logistic regression models to predict the presence of comorbid hypertension and diabetes and whether each was diagnosed.

RESULTS

Over a third (36.0%) of women with diabetes had comorbid hypertension. Compared to non-Hispanic white women, more non-Hispanic black women had comorbid hypertension and diabetes (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.93, 95% CI 3.84-9.16), and, if comorbid, were less likely to have a diabetes diagnosis (aOR 0.03, 95% CI 0.007-0.1) or hypertension diagnosis (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.65).

CONCLUSION

Comorbid hypertension and diabetes are more common among non-Hispanic black women and less likely to be diagnosed, signaling disparities threatening maternal and child health among women with diabetes.

From Sea to Shining Sea and the Great Plains to Patagonia: A Review on Current Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus in Hispanics/Latinos in the US and Latin America

The past two decades have witnessed many advances in the prevention, treatment, and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Increased screening has led to a greater recognition of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) and prediabetes; however, Hispanics/Latinos, the largest minority group in the US, have not fully benefited from these advances. The Hispanic/Latino population is highly diverse in ancestries, birth places, cultures, languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and it populates most of the Western Hemisphere. In the US, the prevalence of DM varies among Hispanic/Latino heritage groups, being higher among Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans, and lower among South Americans. The risk and prevalence of diabetes among Hispanics/Latinos are significantly higher than in non-Hispanic Whites, and nearly 40% of Hispanics/Latinos with diabetes have not been formally diagnosed. Despite these striking facts, the representation of Hispanics/Latinos in pharmacological and non-pharmacological clinical trials has been suboptimal, while the prevalence of diabetes in these populations continues to rise. This review will focus on the epidemiology, etiology and prevention of type 2 DM in populations of Latin American origin. We will set the stage by defining the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latin American, explaining the challenges identifying Hispanics/Latinos in the scientific literature and databases, describing the epidemiology of diabetes-including type 2 DM and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)-and cardiovascular risk factors in Hispanics/Latinos in the US and Latin America, and discussing trends, and commonalities and differences across studies and populations, including methodology to ascertain diabetes. We will discuss studies on mechanisms of disease, and research on prevention of type 2 DM in Hispanics/Latinos, including women with GDM, youth and adults; and finalize with a discussion on lessons learned and opportunities to enhance research, and, consequently, clinical care oriented toward preventing type 2 DM in Hispanics/Latinos in the US and Latin America.

Prevalence of Prediabetes and Undiagnosed Diabetes in Canada (2007-2011) According to Fasting Plasma Glucose and HbA1c Screening Criteria

OBJECTIVE

To provide the first population-based estimates of prediabetes and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes prevalence in Canada.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We combined two fasting subsamples of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, which were restricted to nonpregnant adults ≥20 years of age (N = 3,494). Undiagnosed diabetes was defined as not having self-reported type 2 diabetes but having blood glucose measures that met Canadian guidelines (i.e., fasting plasma glucose [FPG] level of ≥7.0 mmol/L or hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] level of ≥6.5% [≥48 mmol/mol]). Prediabetes was defined as an FPG level of ≥6.1 and <7.0 mmol/L or an HbA1c level of ≥6.0% and <6.5% (≥42 and <48 mmol/mol). All estimates were weighted using survey sampling weights. CIs were calculated with the bootstrap method.

RESULTS

According to FPG levels, the prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in Canadian adults was 1.13% (95% CI 0.79, 1.62), contributing to ∼20% of total type 2 diabetes prevalence (5.62 [95% CI 4.52, 6.95]). Compared with FPG levels, the undiagnosed prevalence was greater using HbA1c level as a criterion (3.09% [95% CI 1.97, 4.81]), ∼41% of the total number of cases of diabetes (7.55 [95% CI 5.98, 9.49]). The HbA1c-only criterion resulted in a threefold increase in prediabetes prevalence overall and a sixfold increase among females (FPG 2.22%, HbA1c 13.31%). Screening based on FPG only identified older undiagnosed case patients, with a mean age of 58.7 years (95% CI 59.9, 63.4). Similarly, using HbA1c identified younger individuals with prediabetes, with reduced BMI and waist circumference compared with FPG levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In this first study of a nationally representative sample with biospecimen measures, we found that the prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and prediabetes was significantly higher using HbA1c levels compared with FPG levels. Further evaluation is needed to fully assess the impact of using the HbA1c criterion.

National patterns in diabetes screening: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2012

BACKGROUND

There are few current population-based estimates of the patterns of diabetes screening in the United States. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends universal screening of adults ≥ 45 years, and high-risk adults < 45 years, but there is no current assessment of ADA guideline performance in detecting diabetes and prediabetes. Furthermore, data on racial/ethnic patterns of screening are limited.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to estimate diabetes screening prevalence for the US adult population and specifically for those who meet ADA criteria; to report the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among these groups; and to determine if high-risk race/ethnicity was associated with reported screening.

DESIGN

This was a Cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Non-pregnant adults (≥ 21 years) without diabetes or prediabetes who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2005-2012 (n = 17,572) were included in the study. "Screening-recommended" participants, classified by ADA criteria, included (1) adults ≥ 45 years and (2) "high-risk" adults < 45 years. "Screening-not-recommended" participants were adults < 45 years who did not meet criteria.

MAIN MEASURES

Diabetes screening status was obtained by self-report. We used calibrated HbA1c and/or fasting glucose levels to define undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes.

KEY RESULTS

Seventy-six percent of the study population (approximately 136 million US adults) met ADA criteria. Among them, less than half (46.2%) reported screening; undiagnosed diabetes affected 3.7% (5 million individuals), and undiagnosed prediabetes affected 36.3% (49 million people.) African Americans were more likely to report screening, both among adults ≥ 45 years and among "high risk" younger adults (OR 1.27 and 1.36, respectively.) Hispanic participants were also more likely to report screening (OR 1.31 for older adults, 1.42 for younger adults.) The screening rate among "screening-not-recommended" adults was 29.6%; the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes were 0.4 and 10.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In a nationally representative sample, 76% of adults met ADA screening criteria, of whom fewer than half reported screening. Limitations include cross-sectional design and screening self-report.

Awareness, treatment and control of cardiometabolic disorders in Chinese adults with diabetes: a national representative population study

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of diabetes has important clinic implications for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia in previously-diagnosed and newly-diagnosed diabetes in Chinese adult population.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a nationally representative sample of 98658 Chinese adults aged 18 years or older in 2010, using a complex, multistage, probability sampling design. Glycemic status were defined according to the 2010 American Diabetes Association criteria. Hypertension was diagnosed by the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed by the 2004 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia gradually increased in adults with normal glucose regulation, prediabetes, newly-diagnosed diabetes and previously-diagnosed diabetes. Compared to newly-diagnosed diabetes patients, previously-diagnosed diabetes patients were more likely to be aware of hypertension (weighted percentage [95% confidence interval]: 55.2% [52.9%-57.5%] vs 37.6% [35.9%-39.3%]) and dyslipidemia (33.9% [31.8%-36.1%] vs 12.8% [11.7%-13.9%]), to receive blood pressure-lowing (43.7% [41.5%-46.0%] vs 27.5% [26.0%-29.0%]) and lipid-lowering (18.9% [17.2%-20.7%] vs 5.4% [4.6%-6.2%]) therapies, and to have controlled blood pressure (4.7% [3.5%-6.2%] vs 3.5% [2.6%-4.8%]) and lipid (15.9% [12.3%-20.3%] vs 9.5% [6.4%-13.8%]) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia is far from optimal in Chinese adults, especially in newly-diagnosed diabetes. Improved screening for diabetes is required to promote a better prevention, treatment and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia in China.

Initiation of treatment for incident diabetes: evidence from the electronic health records in an ambulatory care setting

OBJECTIVE

We examined patterns and predictors of initiation of treatment for incident diabetes in an ambulatory care setting in the US.

METHODS

Data were extracted from electronic health records (EHR) for active patients ≥ 35 years in a multispecialty, multiclinic ambulatory care organization with 1000 providers. New onset type 2 diabetes and subsequent treatment were identified using lab, diagnosis, medication prescription, and service use data. Time from the first evidence of diabetes until initial treatment, either medication or education/counseling, was examined using a Kaplan-Meier hazards curve. Potential predictors of initial treatment were examined using multinomial logistic models accounting for physician random effects.

RESULTS

Of 2258 patients with incident diabetes, 55% received either medication or education/counseling (20% received both) during the first year. Of the treated patients, 68% received a treatment within the first four weeks, and 13% after initial 16 weeks. Strong positive predictors (P < 0.01) of combined treatment were younger age, higher fasting glucose at diagnosis, obesity, and visits with an endocrinologist.

CONCLUSIONS

Among insured patients who have a primary care provider in a multispecialty health care system, incident diabetes is treated only half the time. Improved algorithms for identifying incident diabetes from the EHR and team approach for monitoring may help treatment initiation.

Awareness, treatment, and control of LDL cholesterol are lower among U.S. adults with undiagnosed diabetes versus diagnosed diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is often undiagnosed, resulting in incorrect risk stratification for lipid-lowering therapy. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010 to determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) among U.S. adults with undiagnosed diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Fasting NHANES participants 20 years of age or older who had 10-year Framingham coronary heart disease (CHD) risk scores <20% and were free of CHD or other CHD risk equivalents (n = 5,528) were categorized as having normal glucose, impaired fasting glucose, undiagnosed diabetes, or diagnosed diabetes. High LDL-C was defined by the 2004 Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III guidelines.

RESULTS

The prevalence of diagnosed and of undiagnosed diabetes was 8 and 4%, respectively. Mean LDL-C was 102 ± 2 mg/dL among those with diagnosed diabetes and 117 ± 3 mg/dL for those with undiagnosed diabetes (P < 0.001). The prevalence of high LDL-C was similar among individuals with undiagnosed (81%) and diagnosed (77%) diabetes. Among individuals with undiagnosed diabetes and high LDL-C, 38% were aware, 27% were treated, and 16% met the ATP III LDL-C goal for diabetes. In contrast, among individuals with diagnosed diabetes and high LDL-C, 70% were aware, 61% were treated, and 36% met the ATP III goal. Subjects with undiagnosed diabetes remained less likely to have controlled LDL-C after multivariable adjustment (prevalence ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.80).

CONCLUSIONS

Improved screening for diabetes and reducing the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes may identify individuals requiring more intensive LDL-C reduction.

Population disparities in mental health: insights from cultural neuroscience

By 2050, nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19%) will be an immigrant, including Hispanics, Blacks, and Asians, compared to the 1 in 8 (12%) in 2005. They will vary in the extent to which they are at risk for mental health disorders. Given this increase in cultural diversity within the United States and costly population health disparities across cultural groups, it is essential to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how culture affects basic psychological and biological mechanisms. We examine these basic mechanisms that underlie population disparities in mental health through cultural neuroscience. We discuss the challenges to and opportunities for cultural neuroscience research to determine sociocultural and biological factors that confer risk for and resilience to mental health disorders across the globe.

Neighborhood disadvantage, neighborhood safety and cardiometabolic risk factors in African Americans: biosocial associations in the Jackson Heart study

OBJECTIVE

We examined associations between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, perceived neighborhood safety and cardiometabolic risk factors, adjusting for health behaviors and socioeconomic status (SES) among African Americans.

METHODS

Study participants were non-diabetic African Americans (n = 3,909) in the baseline examination (2000-2004) of the Jackson Heart Study. We measured eight risk factors: the metabolic syndrome, its five components, insulin resistance and cardiovascular inflammation. We assessed neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage with US Census 2000 data. We assessed perceived neighborhood safety, health behaviors and SES via survey. We used generalized estimating equations to estimate associations with a random intercept model for neighborhood effects.

RESULTS

After adjustment for health behaviors and SES, neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with the metabolic syndrome in women (PR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01, 1.27). Lack of perceived safety was associated with elevated glucose (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03, 1.80) and waist circumference (PR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02, 1.11) among women, and with elevated glucose (PR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02, 1.66) and insulin resistance (PR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08, 1.46) among men.

CONCLUSIONS

Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and perceived safety should be considered as targets for intervention to reduce cardiometabolic risks among African Americans.

The influence of ethnicity and gender on the association between measured obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness with self-rated overweight, physical activity and health

BACKGROUND

Little is known about how ethnicity may influence how self-rated physical activity (PA) and obesity relates to measured obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness and self-rated health.

AIMS

To examine the influence of ethnicity on the association between: (1) self-rated and measured obesity; (2) self-reported PA and cardiorespiratory fitness; and (3) obesity and PA with self-rated health.

METHODS

Data from NHANES 1999-2004 (2,981 adults) was used.

RESULTS

Compared to white and overweight black men, Hispanic men were less likely to consider themselves overweight (OR = 0.36-0.56). Compared to white men, black active men were more likely to report being more active than their peers (OR = 1.44) but were less likely to be fit (OR = 0.74). Black active women and non-white overweight women were less likely to self-rate as having very good or excellent health as compared to white women with similar self-reported and measured health factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnicity and gender influence how self-rated and measured health factors interrelate.

High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in young Hispanic women: findings from the national Sister to Sister campaign

BACKGROUND

Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and have a higher prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors as compared with non-Hispanic whites. Further data suggests that Hispanics have undiagnosed complications of metabolic syndrome, namely diabetes mellitus, at an earlier age. We sought to better understand the epidemiology of metabolic syndrome in Hispanic women using data from a large, community-based health screening program.

METHODS

Using data from the Sister to Sister: The Women's Heart Health Foundation community health fairs from 2008 to 2009 held in 17 U.S. cities, we sought to characterize how cardiometabolic risk profiles vary across age for women by race and ethnicity. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) guidelines, which included three or more of the following: Waist circumference ≥35 inches, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) <50 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥85 mmHg, or a fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL.

RESULTS

A total of 6843 community women were included in the analyses. Metabolic syndrome had a prevalence of 35%. The risk-adjusted odds ratio for metabolic syndrome in Hispanic women versus white women was 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.4, 2.0). Dyslipidemia was the strongest predictor of metabolic syndrome among Hispanic women. This disparity appeared most pronounced for younger women. Additional predictors of metabolic syndrome included black race, increasing age, and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large, nationally representative sample of women, we found that metabolic syndrome was highly prevalent among young Hispanic women. Efforts specifically targeted to identifying these high-risk women are necessary to prevent the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with metabolic syndrome.

Ability of a biomarker-based score to predict death from circulatory disease and cancer in NHANES III

Background

A score based on serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and HDL cholesterol was positively associated with death from cancer, circulatory disease, and all-cause mortality. We replicated this in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a US nationally representative survey conducted between 1988–1994.

Methods

Baseline measurements of CRP, albumin, GGT, and HDL were available for participants with mortality follow-up (n=13,056). A biomarker score, ranging 0–4, was created by adding number of markers with abnormal values (cut-off: CRP>10mg/L, albumin<35mg/L, GGT>36U/L, HDL<1.04mmol/L). Its association with mortality was analyzed with multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

The score was positively associated with death from all causes, cancer and circulatory disease [e.g. HR all-cause mortality: 1.21 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.35), 1.92 (1.67, 2.20), 3.38 (2.62, 4.36), and 7.93 (5.77, 10.89), for score 1, 2, 3, 4 vs.0]. These patterns were found across the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Where CCI =3, risk of cancer death was 1.09 (0.93, 1.28), 1.81 (1.43, 2.29), 4.67 (3.05, 7.14), and 6.97 (5.32, 9.14) for score 1, 2, 3, 4 vs. 0. No effect-modification by sex or race/ethnicity was observed.

Conclusions

These findings correlate with results from a Swedish study. This biomarker-based score could help clinicians make decisions in prevention and disease management.