Microvascular complications of NIDDM in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

Diabetic neuropathy

Neuropathies related to diabetes mellitus can affect 60-70% of patients with diabetes. These can include peripheral polyneuropathies, mononeuropathies, and autonomic neuropathies. Control of glucose, lipids, and hypertension and cessation of smoking can limit onset and progression of these neuropathies. Besides control of the above listed risk factors, we do not have effective medications to treat the pathophysiologic mechanisms of diabetic neuropathies. Treatment is limited to ameliorating pain and correcting the end organ consequences of the neuropathic processes.

Prevalence of microalbuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus--a hospital-based study from north India

BACKGROUND

Asian ethnicity is said to be a risk factor for microalbuminuria. Prevalence studies in native Asians, especially Indians, are scarce. The aim was to study the prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to identify the associated risk factors.

METHODS

Eight hundred consecutive patients attending the endocrine outpatient clinic were screened. Six hundred seventy patients were eligible for microalbuminuria screening. Urinalysis was done in a random spot urine sample using dipsticks. History, physical examination, and metabolic data were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean age and body mass index of the study population were 52.13 +/- 9.9 years and 26.19 +/- 4.34 kg/m(2), respectively. The median duration of diabetes was 5 years. Microalbuminuria was found in 25.5% (95% confidence interval, 22.4-29%) and macroproteinuria in 16.2% (95% confidence interval, 13.5-19.1%). In patients with duration of diabetes less than 1 year, the prevalence of microalbuminuria was 24.7%, and that of macroproteinuria was 6.2%. The risk factors associated with microalbuminuria and macroproteinuria were glycated hemoglobin, retinopathy, and calcium channel blocker intake. However, waist circumference was negatively associated with macroproteinuria but not with microalbuminuria. This difference in the risk factors supports the newer concept that microalbuminuria and diabetic nephropathy are pathophysiologically different and may not be inextricably linked.

CONCLUSIONS

The high proportion of patients who present with albuminuria within the first year of diagnosis probably indicates longer duration of prior undiagnosed diabetes. Screening for asymptomatic diabetes and defining newer risk factors to identify those at risk for complications are essential to reduce the socioeconomic burden of diabetes.

The prevalence of diabetic neuropathy according to ethnicity

The prevalence of diabetic neuropathy has been studied in ethnic groups. Comparisons of ethnic groups for the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy are complicated by several factors. The criteria and classification of neuropathy vary between studies. Also, there are substantial differences in the modes of assessment. Moreover, in the studies of neuropathy in ethnic groups, the criteria for common characteristics that would define such groups are often unstated. Finally, there are a relatively small number of studies that have specifically compared ethnic groups for the prevalence of neuropathy. Most of these studies have assessed manifestations of sensorimotor neuropathy. Although it is difficult to discern a pattern due to the factors indicated above, there appears to be a tendency for white individuals to have a higher prevalence of sensorimotor neuropathy than the groups with whom they have been compared. However, this trend is not always consistent and there is no clear explanation for it.

Prevalence and risk factors of albuminuria in Type 2 diabetes in Bahrain

Microalbuminuria is the earliest sign of diabetic nephropathy, and is a marker of increased diabetic cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We investigated the prevalence of albuminuria and associated risk factors among Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients, who were attending diabetes clinics at primary healthcare facilities in Bahrain. This was a cross-sectional study on 712 adult T2DM Bahraini patients screened for albuminuria using albumin:creatinine ratio test (ACR), in 9 selected primary healthcare centers in Bahrain in the period February-March 2006. Of the 702 participants, 196 (27.9%) were albuminuric. The prevalence of microalbuminuria (ACR>3.4 mg albumin/mmol creatinine) and macroalbuminuria (protein:creatinine ratio >22 mg protein/ mmol creatinine) were 22.0% (no.=155) and 5.8% (no.=41), respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated significant associations between albuminuria and older age (>65 yr), longer duration of diabetes, high glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), elevated triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol, systolic (>160 mmHg) and diastolic (>90 mmHg) blood pressure (BP), and retinopathy. Multivariate regression analysis showed that high HbA1c, higher systolic BP, and long duration of diabetes, were significant predictors of albuminuria, while older age, male gender, and higher triglycerides were borderline predictors. Albuminuria in Bahraini T2DM patients was related to poor glycemic control, higher systolic BP, and longer duration of diabetes. Effective preventive and control strategies of those factors should be urgently implemented.

Viva la Vida: helping Latino Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes live their lives to the fullest

Viva la Vida (Live Your Life) is a call to action for older Latinos to take charge of their diabetes and live life to the fullest. Lumetra, California's federally designated Medicare quality improvement organization, developed the Viva la Vida project to improve diabetes care among Latino Medicare beneficiaries in 4 Southern California counties. After researching barriers to good diabetes care among Latino seniors, Lumetra designed a multifaceted program targeting health care providers and Medicare beneficiaries through bilingual, low-literacy health education materials and tools, community and provider partnerships, and the mass media. The project succeeded in helping to reduce the disparity in glycosylated hemoglobin testing between White and Latino Medicare beneficiaries in the 4 program counties.

Treating the whole patient for optimal management of type 2 diabetes: considerations for insulin therapy

Primary care physicians are responsible for providing healthcare to most patients with type 2 diabetes. In this role, it is critical that physicians utilize a whole-patient treatment approach that includes lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy aimed to achieve glycemic control, in addition to the management of any comorbid conditions or risk factors for cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, most patients with type 2 diabetes will eventually require insulin to achieve and maintain glycemic control, because of both increased insulin resistance and diminished secretory capacity of the pancreatic beta cells. Thus, physicians need to be knowledgeable about and comfortable with the use of insulin, as well as with educating patients and discussing any potential barriers to insulin therapy. The use of a stepwise approach--beginning with basal insulin therapy and adding prandial insulin if necessary--is simple, effective, and appropriate for use in many patients.

[Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy in Lebanon]

AIMS

To assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, evaluate risk factors underlying its development, and assess the epidemiological characteristics of documented diabetes in the Lebanese population.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

The population-based study was conducted in three regions in Lebanon from January 2nd 2000 until June 30th 2000. The study group comprised 112 known diabetic patients who had previously been identified among 4,063 randomly selected individuals. All known diabetic patients underwent an interview, a physical examination, and a thorough retinal examination that included evaluation for the absence or presence of diabetic retinopathy. Retinal examination was performed by an ophthalmologist using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy through dilated pupils. Several risk factors were then evaluated in order to delineate those related to occurrence of diabetic retinopathy.

RESULTS

The prevalence of known diabetes was 2.95%. Of the 120 known diabetic patients, 112 accepted to be examined. The sex ratio (m:f) was 1.43, the mean patient age was 60.98 years, the mean age at onset of diabetes was 51.75 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 9.19 years. Type 1 diabetes was found in 1.8% of the patients, whereas 98.2% had type 2 diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy was detected in 19 patients (16.96%). Duration of diabetes, frequency of fundoscopic surveillance, and altered vision were found to be significantly related to the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

In our study, diabetic retinopathy was found in 16.96% of known diabetic patients, a lower rate than in most of other countries. Most of the diabetic patients (84.82%) were aware that diabetes causes ocular disease, yet only a few (17.85%) were under regular fundoscopic surveillance.

Population-Based Study of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Kinmen, Taiwan

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients in Kinmen, Taiwan.

METHODS

From 1991 to 1993, 971 type 2 diabetic patients in Kinmen underwent diabetic retinopathy screening performed by a panel of ophthalmologists using indirect ophthalmoscopy and 45 degrees color fundus retinal photographs.

RESULTS

Of the 971 patients screened in 1991-1993, 578 (59.5%) were examined for this study. Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed in 127 patients (22.0%), including nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in 13.3%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 1.4%, legal blindness in 1.4%, and ungradable diabetic retinopathy in 5.9%. Significant associated factors of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy based on multiple logistic regression analysis were fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at baseline [> or =126 mg/dl vs. <126 mg/dl; odds ratio (OR) = 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-9.09], 2-h postload at baseline (> or =200 vs. <200 mg/dl; OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.09-2.07); HbA1c at follow-up (> or =7% vs. <7%; OR = 6.54; 95% CI, 3.01-14.20), duration of diabetes (> or =15 years vs. <10 years; OR = 6.72; 95% CI, 2.13-21.18), and incremental systolic blood pressure between baseline and follow-up (OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to the longer duration of type 2 diabetes, FPG at baseline, poorly controlled glucose concentration, and altered blood pressure may increase the risk of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

Ethnic differences in mortality, end-stage complications, and quality of care among diabetic patients: a review

OBJECTIVE

To determine the influence of ethnic differences in diabetes care on inequalities in mortality and prevalence of end-stage complications among diabetic patients. The following questions were examined: 1) Are there ethnic differences among diabetic patients in mortality and end-stage complications and 2) are there ethnic differences among diabetic patients in quality of care?

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A review of the literature on ethnic differences in the prevalence of complications and mortality among diabetic patients and in the quality of diabetes care was performed by systematically searching articles on Medline published from 1987 through October 2004.

RESULTS

A total of 51 studies were included, mainly conducted in the U.S. and the U.K. In general, after adjusting for confounders, diabetic patients from ethnic minorities had higher mortality rates and higher risk of diabetes complications. After additional adjustment for risk factors such as smoking, socioeconomic status, income, years of education, and BMI, in most instances ethnic differences disappear. Nevertheless, blacks and Hispanics in the U.S. and Asians in the U.K. have an increased risk of end-stage renal disease, and blacks and Hispanics in the U.S. have an increased risk of retinopathy. Intermediate outcomes of care were worse in blacks, and they were inclined to be worse in Hispanics. Likewise, ethnic differences in quality of care in the U.S. exist: process of care was worse in blacks.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the fact that there are ethnic differences in diabetes care and that ethnic differences in some diabetes complications persist after adjustment for risk factors other than diabetes care, it seems the case that ethnic differences in diabetes care contribute to the more adverse disease outcomes of diabetic patients from some ethnic minority groups. Although no generalizations can be made for all ethnic groups in all regions for all kinds of complications, the results do implicate the importance of quality of care in striving for equal health outcomes among ethnic minorities.

Diabetes in the Hispanic or Latino population: genes, environment, culture, and more

The Hispanic or Latino population is the largest minority group in the United States, currently representing 13.7% of the total U.S. population. Hispanics or Latinos usually suffer from higher rates of type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and their multiple vascular complications. Inadequate nutrition and reduced physical activity in the setting of an increased genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes have contributed to the inexorable rise in metabolic abnormalities in Hispanics in the United States, which now affect many children and adolescents. It is evident that multiple medical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors influence the development of diabetes, its course, and its consequences. Our health care system is barely prepared to face the challenge of managing diabetes in this high-risk group. Culturally oriented clinical care, education, outreach and research programs are needed to better identify the challenges to create opportunities to improve the lives of Hispanics or Latinos with diabetes or at risk for the disease.

Familial aggregation of severity of diabetic retinopathy in Mexican Americans from Starr County, Texas

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness. To determine whether retinopathy itself or only its severity aggregates in families, we examined the occurrence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in Mexican-American siblings with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using stereoscopic fundus photography of seven standard fields, we measured retinopathy in 656 type 2 diabetic patients from 282 Mexican-American families from Starr County, Texas. Retinopathy severity was scored using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study system and classified as no retinopathy, early nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR-E), moderate-to-severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR-S), or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

RESULTS

Of 249 siblings of randomly selected probands with retinopathy, 169 (67.9%) had retinopathy, compared with 95 of 125 siblings of unaffected probands (76.0%; P = 0.11). Proband retinopathy class was associated (P = 0.03) with sibling retinopathy class, with significant odds ratios (ORs) for NPDR-E versus no retinopathy (OR 0.57 [95% CI 0.35-0.93]) and PDR versus NPDR-E (2.02 [1.13-3.63]); the contrast of NPDR-S versus NPDR-E approached significance (1.78 [0.99-3.20]). With the more severe classes (PDR and NPDR-S) combined in one group and the less severe ones (none and NPDR-E) in another, more severe proband retinopathy was associated with more severe sibling retinopathy (1.72 [1.03-2.88]).

CONCLUSIONS

More severe diabetic retinopathy showed evidence of familial aggregation, but the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy per se did not. The factors involved in the onset of diabetic retinopathy may differ from those involved in its progression to more severe forms.

An algorithm for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Latin America

Diabetes is a principal and growing health concern in Latin America, accounting for significant mortality and morbidities. Large, randomized, prospective trials of various interventional therapies in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have demonstrated that reductions in hyperglycaemia and management of diabetes-related risk factors can significantly reduce the micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Therefore, patients with type 2 diabetes will benefit from more aggressive treatment regimens to help decrease the occurrence and rate of progression of diabetic complications. Given the many complexities of diabetes management, it is often difficult for general practice physicians to stay abreast of emerging treatment strategies and therapies. Owing to the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Latin America, the majority of patients with diabetes are treated by generalists rather than specialists. This article was intended to assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in developing and using effective treatment strategies to stem the growing epidemic of diabetes and its complications in Latin America.

Unpacking cultural factors in adaptation to type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Race and ethnicity are used as predictors of outcome in health services research. Often, however, race and ethnicity serve merely as proxies for the resources, values, beliefs, and behaviors (ie, ecology and culture) that are assumed to correlate with them. "Unpacking" proxy variables-directly measuring the variables believed to underlie them-would provide a more reliable and more interpretable way of looking at group differences.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of a measure of ecocultural domains that is correlated with ethnicity in accounting for variance in adherence, quality of life, clinical outcomes, and service utilization.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-six Hispanic and 29 non-Hispanic white VA primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MEASURES

The independent variables were patient ethnicity and a summed score of ecocultural domains representing patient adaptation to illness. The outcomes were adherence to treatment, health-related quality of life, clinical indicators of disease management, and utilization of urgent health care services.

RESULTS

Patient adaptation was correlated with ethnicity and accounted for more variance in all outcomes than did ethnicity. The unique variance accounted for by adaptation was small to moderate, whereas that accounted for by ethnicity was negligible.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to identify and measure ecocultural domains that better account for variation in important health services outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes than does ethnicity. Going beyond the study of ethnic differences alone and measuring the correlated factors that play a role in disease management can advance understanding of the phenomena involved in this variation and provide better direction for service design and delivery.

Prevalence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus at a diabetes centre in southern India

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for microalbuminuria among south Indian type 2 diabetic patients attending a diabetes centre.

METHODS

One thousand four hundred and twenty five type 2 diabetic patients attending a diabetes centre in south India were recruited for the study. Urinary albumin concentration was measured by immunoturbodimetric assay. Microalbuminuria was diagnosed if the urinary albumin excretion was >30 mg/g of creatinine.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of microalbuminuria was 36.3% (95% confidence interval 33.8 to 38.9). The prevalence of microalbuminuria increased with the increase in duration of diabetes. Multivariate regression analysis revealed age, diastolic blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and duration of diabetes to be associated with microalbuminuria.

CONCLUSION

The overall prevalence of microalbuminuria in this south Indian clinic population and its risk factors are similar to that reported in Europeans.

The association of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with perceived quality of life in a biethnic population: the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the association between quality of life and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) status, and whether this association differs between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites.

METHODS

Between 1986 and 1989, cross-sectional data on perceived quality of life (PQOL) were collected from 223 persons with NIDDM and 753 non-diabetic subjects.

RESULTS

After adjustment, persons with NIDDM rated their PQOL significantly lower than did control subjects. The relationship of diabetes and PQOL did not differ by ethnicity. The number of complications of diabetes was not associated with lower PQOL scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Control and treatment strategies should reflect an understanding of the impact that diabetes has on social functioning, leisure activities, and physical and mental health.

Cost of diabetes-related amputations in minorities

The objective of this study was to identify the direct cost and length of hospitalization of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations among Hispanics, African Americans, non-Hispanic whites, and Asians. The authors used a database from the office of Statewide Planning and Development in California that identified all hospitalizations for lower extremity amputations in the state in 1991. Amputation level was defined by the ICD-9-CM codes 84.11-84.18. The total hospital charges for diabetes-related lower extremity amputations for the state of California in 1991 was $141 million. The mean hospital charge (HC) per patient with all ethnic groups combined was $27,930; and the mean length of stay (LOS) was 15.9 days. African Americans had significantly higher mean charges ($32,383) and longer stays (17.3 days) compared to all other ethnic groups (p < .05). Toe-level amputations had lower HC (p < .05) and LOS (p < .01) than other amputation levels for all race groups. One-quarter of the population received multiple amputations during their hospital stay. These patients incurred significantly higher hospital charges ($44,731) and stayed in the hospital longer (23.4 days) than those receiving only a single amputation. There was a considerable variation in the HC and LOS among ethnic groups by level of amputation. The direct charges reported in this study suggest considerably higher overall direct costs than have been previously reported in the medical literature. The greater burden of disease experienced by African Americans is probably related to their higher amputation cost and longer hospitalization.

Prevalence of uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity in Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults. Results from the HHANES and the NHANES I

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to provide a comparative analysis of American population-based prevalence of uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity in Hispanics and non-Hispanics.

DESIGN

The study design was a population-based survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1982 and 1984 and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I from 1974 through 1975 were analyzed to investigate the epidemiology of uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity in adults 25 to 74 years of age in Cuban Americans (N = 391), Mexican Americans (N = 1350), Puerto Ricans (N = 504), African Americans (N = 245), and non-Hispanic white Americans (N = 2571).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity in both eyes was assessed using Sloan letters or Landolt rings.

RESULTS

Prevalence rates of 20/50 or worse uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity were 22%, 24%, 19%, 18%, and 32% for African Americans, Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. After adjustment for gender and age, the rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for non-Hispanic whites compared to each of the other ethnic groups. Significant increases in the prevalence of 20/50 or worse distance visual acuity were observed for increasing age groups (25-39, 40-59, and 60-74 years) within each gender-ethnic subgroup. Analysis of differences in prevalence by gender (controlling for age) indicated a slightly higher prevalence of 20/50 or worse distance visual acuity in women than in men (range of odds ratios, 1.1-2.1). Based on 1993 census population estimates in the United States, more than 42 million adults 25 to 74 years of age have an uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity of 20/50 or worse. Approximately 1.7 million of these adults are of Hispanic origin.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of impaired uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity generally is lower in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites.

An innovative, interdisciplinary educational experience in field research

Although interdisciplinary practice is necessary to meet the complex health needs of populations, there are few planned interdisciplinary learning experiences within educational programs for the health professions. The authors describe an interdisciplinary learning experience in field research for students and faculty members from schools of nursing and medicine.

Type II diabetic nephropathy in perspective

The magnitude of type II diabetic nephropathy dilemma is observable in the growing number of diabetic patients with end-stage renal lesion receiving various modalities of treatment. Progressive glomerulopathy associated with proteinuria and hypertension is strongly causative of renal failure and mortality in diabetic patients. Besides hypertension, diabetes exceeds all other glomerulopathies in causing end-stage renal failure. Alterations in glomerular structure and function observed in diabetic patients are implicated in the development and progression of renal derangement. Diabetic glomerulosclerosis, an aggregate of structural and functional perturbations of the kidney, is indicated by alterations in the accumulation of extracellular matrix components, The pathology, epidemiology, risk factors, and other dependent variables may throw some light in the pathogenetic mechanisms and the prevention, treatment, and management modalities of type II diabetic nephropathy.

The influence of outpatient insurance coverage on the microvascular complications of non-insulin-dependent diabetes in Mexican Americans

Does poor health insurance coverage contribute to increased microvascular complications (nephropathy and retinopathy) in Mexican Americans with non-insulin-dependent diabetes? Mexican-American subjects with diabetes were identified in a population-based cardiovascular risk factor survey, the San Antonio Heart Study. Retinopathy, nephropathy, source of health care, and type and extent of health insurance coverage were assessed in a special diabetes complications exam. Among Mexican-American subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes diagnosed prior to their participation in the survey (n = 255), 26% (n = 67) lacked any type of health insurance, and 28% relied on county- or federal-funded clinics rather than private doctors as their primary source of care. Among those with health insurance (188 of 255), only 68% (127 of 188) or 24% of the total sample had private health insurance, and, of those with private insurance, 48% (35 of 73) received reimbursement for outpatient doctor visits and 57% for outpatient medications. Microvascular complications were more common among those who received their health care from a clinic versus a private doctor, and among those who lacked health insurance coverage for outpatient doctor visits and medications. Thus, poor health insurance coverage in the outpatient setting correlates with higher rates of microvascular complications among Mexican Americans with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.