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Racial differences in symptoms and complications in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
J C Konen1, J H Summerson, R A Bell
1Department of Family Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28232, USA.
Ethnicity & Health
|July 11, 2000
Summary
African Americans with type 2 diabetes experience more symptoms linked to glycemic control but fewer cardiovascular issues than white Americans. This highlights the need for tailored screening and prevention strategies for type 2 diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects diverse populations, with potential disparities in symptom and complication frequencies.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for equitable and effective patient care in primary settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare common symptoms and complications in African American versus white American adults with T2DM.
- To investigate the association between these conditions and glycemic control in different racial groups.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 304 adults with T2DM (142 African Americans) from primary care settings.
- Data collected included demographics, clinical measurements, and reported symptoms and complications.
Main Results:
- African Americans exhibited higher diastolic blood pressure and poorer metabolic control (glycosylated hemoglobin).
- African American females reported more constipation and hypertension, but less chest pain, claudication, neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease.
- African American males reported more blurred vision and hypertension, but less peripheral atherosclerotic disease. Poor glycemic control correlated more strongly with symptoms in African Americans.
Conclusions:
- Both racial groups experience diverse T2DM symptoms and vascular complications.
- African Americans show a higher likelihood of glycemic control-related symptoms but lower rates of cardiovascular complications compared to white Americans.
- High prevalence of microalbuminuria suggests widespread vascular issues in T2DM patients, necessitating refined screening and preventive strategies.