Gender and ethnic differences in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Asian subgroups in California

• Published in: Journal of diabetes and its complications Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 429 - 435
• Main Authors: Choi, Sarah E, Liu, Michael, Palaniappan, Latha P, Wang, Elsie J, Wong, Nathan D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2013; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; African Americans; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asian Americans; Asian Americans - statistics & numerical data; Body mass index; California - epidemiology; Cardiovascular disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - etiology; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data; Ethnicity; Female; Gender difference; Health insurance; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Signorello; Studies; Type 2 diabetes prevalence; Young Adult; California; United States > US; Type 2 diabetes prevalence; Ethnicity; Risk factors; Gender difference
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2013.01.002
• ISSN: 1056-8727

Abstract Aims To investigate gender and ethnic type 2 diabetes (DM) prevalences among California Asian subgroups versus other ethnic groups and if risk factors explain these differences. Methods We identified the prevalence of DM and associated risk factors, stratified by gender, among Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Other Hispanic, African-American, Caucasian, and Native American adults in a large survey conducted in 2009 (n = 46,091, projected n = 26.6 million). Results The highest age-adjusted DM prevalence was seen in Native Americans (32.4%), Filipinos (15.8%), and Japanese (11.8%) among men and in Native Americans (16.0%) and African-Americans (13.3%) among women. Caucasian and Mexican men had higher DM prevalences than women. Age and risk factor-adjusted logistic regression showed DM more likely (relative to Caucasians) among women in Koreans (OR = 4.6, p < 0.01), Native Americans (OR = 3.0, p < 0.01), and Other Hispanics (OR 2.9, p < 0.01) and among men in Filipinos (OR = 7.0, p < 0.01), South Asians (OR = 4.7, p < 0.01), and Native Americans (OR = 4.7, p < 0.01). No specific risk factors accounted for the gender differences. Conclusions Ethnic and gender differences in DM prevalence persist, even after adjusting for lifestyle and other risk factors; prevalence is high among certain Asian American subgroups. Different diabetes prevention approaches may be needed across ethnic/gender groups.