RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ethnic Differences in Diabetes Management in Patients With and Without Comorbid Medical Conditions
JF Diabetes Care
JO Diabetes Care
FD American Diabetes Association
SP 655
OP 657
DO 10.2337/dc10-1606
VO 34
IS 3
A1 Alshamsan, Riyadh
A1 Majeed, Azeem
A1 Vamos, Eszter Panna
A1 Khunti, Kamlesh
A1 Curcin, Vasa
A1 Rawaf, Salman
A1 Millett, Christopher
YR 2011
UL http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/3/655.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE To examine ethnic disparities in diabetes management among patients with and without comorbid medical conditions after a period of sustained investment in quality improvement in the U.K.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This cross-sectional study examined associations between ethnicity, comorbidity, and intermediate outcomes for mean A1C, total cholesterol, and blood pressure levels in 6,690 diabetes patients in South West London.RESULTS The presence of ≥2 cardiovascular comorbidities was associated with similar blood pressure control among white and South Asian patients when compared with whites without comorbidity but with worse blood pressure control among black patients, with a mean difference in systolic blood pressure of +1.5, +1.4, and +6.2 mmHg, respectively.CONCLUSIONS Despite major reforms to improve quality, disparities in blood pressure management have persisted in the U.K., particularly among patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. Policy makers should consider the potential impacts of quality initiatives on high-risk groups.