Defeat Diabetes: Obesity & Poor Glycemic Control Common for African-American Type 2’s

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Obesity & Poor Glycemic Control Common for African-American Type 2’s
posted 02/26/03

Average baseline HbA1c levels were 9.9% in patients aged less than 30 years.

Researchers from Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, United States, stratified into four age groups 2,539 people from a predominantly urban African-American population who presented with type 2 diabetes. Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured at baseline as well as between 5 and 12 months later.

Average baseline HbA1c levels were 9.9% in patients aged less than 30 years while the average HbA1c levels at baseline in patients 30 to 49 years, 50 to 69 years, and more than 69 years old were 9.5, 9.2 and 8.8% respectively. The baseline body mass indices in the four groups were 37.8, 33.9, 31.6, and 29.2 respectively.

HbA1c level improved in all groups between baseline and follow up. Nevertheless, younger patients still showed a trend towards higher HbA1c levels compared to older subjects. Body mass index showed little difference over time. The authors found that several factors were associated with higher HbA1c at follow-up: younger age, longer duration of diabetes, higher body mass index, less frequent visits, and treatment with oral agents or insulin.

The authors also examined patients enrolled in a primary care clinic. This study also showed a negative correlation between HbA1c level and body mass index.

Source: Diabetes In Control Dot Com: Arch Intern Med 2003;163:1:69-75.