Racial/Ethnic Variability in Diabetes Mellitus among United States Residents Is Unexplained by Lifestyle, Sociodemographics and Prognostic Factors. (3rd June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holmes, Laurens; Hossain, Jobayer; Ward, Doriel; Opara, Franklin
• Other Names: Buchalla C. M. Academic Editor.; Castro C. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN public health. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-06-03
• Subjects: Public health -- Periodicals; Public Health; Public health; Periodical; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.5402/2012/408079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-8008

Abstract

Abstract : Background . The mortality and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) vary across racial/ethnic groups with African Americans/blacks being disproportionately affected. However, it is unclear to what extent such disparities persist after the adjustment for covariates related to race/ethnicity and/or DM in the population. We aimed to assess racial/ethnic disparities in DM and to determine which covariates account for the observed racial/ethnic variabilities. Materials and Methods . We utilized a large cross-sectional survey of the US noninstitutionalized residents (n = 30, 852 ) to investigate the racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes mellitus, and the degree in which the disparities are explained by the relevant covariates. Pearson's chi-square was used to examine study variables by race/ethnicity, while logistic regression was used to assess the effect of race/ethnicity and other covariates on DM prevalence. Results . There were statistically significant ethnic/racial differences with respect to income, education, marital status, smoking, alcohol, physical activities, body mass index, and age, P < 0.05, but not insurance coverage, P > 0.05 . Race/ethnicity was a single independent predictor of DM, with African Americans (non-Hispanic blacks) more likely to be diagnosed for DM compared with non-Hispanic whites, prevalence odds ratio (POR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–1.62, while Hispanics were less likely to be diagnosed, POR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.87–1.09. Similarly, after controlling for potential confounders, the racial/ethnic variability in DM between AA/blacks and non-Hispanic whites persisted, adjusted POR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.15–1.47. Conclusions . Racial/ethnic variability exists in DM prevalence and is unexplained by racial/ethnic variance in education, income, marital status, smoking, alcohol, physical activities, age, and sex.