Prevalences of Type 2 Diabetes, the Insulin Resistance Syndrome, and Coronary Heart Disease in an Elderly, Biethnic Population
- Robert D Lindeman, MD,
- Linda J Romero, MD,
- Rosalina Hundley, MA,
- Andrew S Allen, MS,
- Hwa Chi Liang, MS,
- Richard N Baumgartner, PHD,
- Kathleen M Koehler, PHD,
- David S Schade, MD and
- Philip J Garry, PHD
- Departments of Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Robert D. Lindeman, Department of Medicine, University of New Mexico Hospital, ACC-5, 2211 Lomas Blvd, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87131. E-mail: rlindema{at}salud.unm.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the prevalences of type 2 diabetes, the various cardiovascular risk factors encompassing the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), and coronary heart disease (CHD) in elderly Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Elderly Hispanics (n = 414) and non-Hispanic whites (n = 469), randomly selected from the Medicare rolls of Bernalillo County (Albuquerque, NM; age ≥ 65 years), underwent a home interview followed by an interview/examination by a nurse-practitioner, nurse, and nutritionist that included an evaluation of glucose tolerance. Prevalences of total and central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and microalbuminuria also were determined. History of myocardial infarction, recent angina, and/or coronary bypass graft, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) were used to document CHD.
RESULTS Elderly Hispanics had twice the prevalence of type 2 diabetes compared with non-Hispanic whites, but the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was not increased in Hispanics. Mean serum fasting and 2-h post-glucola insulin concentrations, fasting insulin resistance indexes, and HbA1c were higher in Hispanics. Hispanics were shorter, weighed less, and had more total body and central obesity. The higher prevalences of dyslipidemia in Hispanics could be explained by a higher prevalence of diabetes. The prevalences of hypertension and CHD were not different for the two ethnic groups.
CONCLUSIONS Elderly Hispanics had twice the prevalence of diabetes and higher prevalences of cardiovascular risk factors associated with IRS. Prevalences of hypertension and CHD were similar in the two ethnic groups.
- Received September 29, 1997.
- Accepted March 4, 1998.
- Copyright © 1998 by the American Diabetes Association
