Diabetes in the US accounts for an estimated 10% of new cases of blindness diagnosed in people between the ages of 45-74. Estimates are that about 5% of the population have diabetes, although many of these cases remain undiagnosed. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, 1988-94, (NHANES III), a randomized stratified population survey, to evaluate self-reported visual function in patients with and without a diagnosis of diabetes using descriptive and logistic regression analysis. The most important finding was that 26.3 percent of the respondents with elevated glucose levels were never told by their doctor that they were diabetic. Other findings showed that respondents were more likely to be told by their doctor that they had diabetes as they increased in age; were female; non-Hispanic blacks; have a high poverty index; use corrective lenses and when they were totally blind or had cataracts (in each case, p<0.0001). Respondents were less likely to be told by their doctor they had diabetes: if they read the newspaper and were in excellent health (in each case, p<0.0001). Those with a high glucose level were more likely to be told by their doctors that they had diabetes as their age increased, if they were non-Hispanic blacks, or if they had high poverty index. There are significant differences in the racial and ethnic composition of patients diagnosed with diabetes versus those with undiagnosed diabetes. Further implications for vision loss, health care access and usage among diverse ethnic groups will be presented.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Recognize the prevalence of diabetes in the US as a major public health problem. 2. Understand the relationship between vision loss, early diagnosis, and diabetes. 3. Identify the differences in diagnosis of diabetes among different ethnic/racial groups.
Keywords: Vision Care, Diabetes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.