Prevalence of Diabetes in an Urban Hospital Emergency Room Serving Predominantly Indigenous Population

The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of diabetes and pre-diabetes in previously undiagnosed individuals who came to the Detroit Receiving Hospital-Ambulatory Rapid Center (DRH-ARC), which is part of the emergency room. This region has a high minority population with over 83% being African-Americans (AAs). Diabetes screening is especially important for this population because AAs are more prone to develop complications.

Free diabetes screening was done for all patients coming to the walk in unit of the DRH-ARC. This program was supported by the "Healthy Detroit-Diabetes Initiative". The initiative was developed by the Detroit Receiving Hospital and Wayne State University Physicians Group (WSUPG) administration.

A total of 15,971 patients, who did not have a history of diabetes, consented for screening during the period of March 2010 through March 2014. A total of 6,149 (38.5%) patients were found to have HbAlc values in the range of pre-diabetes or diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes increased with age in both men and women. The data showed high prevalence of undiagnosed pre-diabetes and diabetes in this population approaching 31% and 8%, respectively. Among patients with elevated blood pressure 41.2% had abnormal HbAlc values. In contrast, 32% of patients with normal blood pressure had abnormal HbAlc values.

Continued screening of population at risk for diabetes is essential. Public health awareness programs, such as the Healthy Detroit-Diabetes Initiative should be initiated in similar areas where minority populations are prevalent.