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Adult-onset diabetes among Arabs and Jews in Israel: a population-based study
O Kalter-Leibovici1, A Chetrit, F Lubin
1Unit of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. ofral@gertner.health.gov.il
Diabetic Medicine : a Journal of the British Diabetic Association
|November 5, 2011
Summary
Adult-onset diabetes presents earlier and is more prevalent in Israeli Arabs compared to Israeli Jews. This increased risk in Arabs is independent of lifestyle and family history, suggesting potential genetic factors require further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Genetics
Background:
- Adult-onset diabetes mellitus (AODM) is a significant global health concern.
- Ethnic disparities in AODM prevalence and age of onset are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age at presentation and associated factors of adult-onset diabetes (AODM) in Arab and Jewish populations in Israel.
- To compare the risk and onset age of AODM between these two ethnic groups.
Main Methods:
- A population-based study of 1100 participants from the Hadera District, Israel, stratified by sex, ethnicity (Arab and Jewish), and age.
- Data collected via personal interviews on diabetes presentation age, family history, gestational diabetes, socio-demographics, and lifestyle.
- Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess diabetes risk and associated factors.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of AODM was 21% in Arabs and 12% in Jews.
- Arab participants were diagnosed with diabetes 11 years younger than Jewish participants (age 57 vs. 68).
- The elevated risk of AODM in Arabs was independent of lifestyle, family history, and gestational diabetes history (adjusted hazard ratio 1.70).
Conclusions:
- Israeli Arabs face a higher risk and earlier onset of adult-onset diabetes compared to Israeli Jews.
- Culturally tailored interventions focusing on weight management and physical activity are recommended for the Arab population.
- Further research into genetic factors and gene-environment interactions is warranted to explain the high risk of AODM in Arabs.
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