262978 Highly elevated diabetes prevalence in the Indian diaspora: Implications at the community level, Schenectady, New York

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Akiko S. Hosler, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY
David Pratt, MD, MPH , Public Health Services, Schenectady County, Schenectady, NY
Ephraim Back, MD, MPH, FAAFP , Family Medicine, Ellis Medicine, Schenectady, NY
Erin Buckenmeyer, MPH , School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY
Alexander Simao Jr., MPH , Public Health Services, Schenectady County, Schenectady, NY
Kathy Sen, RN, BSN , Public Health Services, Schenectady County, Schenectady, NY
Purpose: Schenectady, New York is home to nearly 8000 Guyanese immigrants. They trace their ancestry to India. Because little intermarriage occurred, the Guyanese are genotypically and phenotypically Indian. Clinicians in Schenectady estimated that 30% of adult Guyanese had Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To test this markedly elevated rate, we conducted a prevalence survey. Methods: The US Census does not recognize "Guyanese" and the Guyanese do not live in enclaves. Hence, we used a convenience sample focused at faith-based organizations and social gatherings, including Cricket matches. Using a paper instrument with 42 tested questions, at a sixth grade reading level, we collected surveys and entered data into SPSS. Age and sex adjustments used the New York State diabetes population estimates. Results: A total of 764 responses were returned, 324 from Guyanese and 440 from non-Guyanese. The crude T2DM prevalence rate in adult Guyanese was 30% vs. 19% for non-Guyanese (p<0.001). Standardized Morbidity Ratios (SMRs) for Guyanese males = 3.24, females = 2.72. Guyanese with diabetes had lower BMIs (28 vs. 33, p<0.001), more vision complications (44% vs. 26%, p<0.014) and were more often uninsured (22.1% vs. 6.3%, p<0.003). Extrapolating to the total adult Guyanese population, we estimate that nearly 50% either has T2DM or is at risk. Conclusion: This immigrant ethnic minority is disproportionately impacted by T2DM. The excess burden of morbidity and likely attendant cost for the Guyanese is striking. This disparity reflects the need for future primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programs.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in the Indo-Guyanese. 2. Explain how Guyanese with diabetes have lower BMIs than a group of non-Guyanese controls with diabetes. 3. Discuss the disparity that exists for the Guyanese regarding rates of uninsured.

Keywords: Diabetes, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a professor of epidemiology and have been the PI/lead investigator of a number of diabetes surveillance projects funded by federal and state government agencies
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.