Ethnic variation in the health burden of self-reported diabetes in adults aged 75 and older.
OBJECTIVE
The health burden of self-reported diabetes was compared across three ethnic groups of older adults.


METHODS
Analysis of variance and logistic regression were used to compare ethnic differences in the rates of co-morbid chronic health conditions, complications, and disability for older diabetics vs non-diabetics, in a sample of 173 Mexican Americans, 201 African Americans, and 181 non-Hispanic whites, all aged 75 and older.


RESULTS
The prevalence of self-reported diabetes was significantly higher in older Mexican Americans (17.6%) and African Americans (16.4%) than in non-Hispanic whites (8.5%). In all three ethnic groups, and after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, diabetics were found to be generally at higher risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, circulation and foot problems, obesity, and impaired vision and activities of daily living. Multivariate analyses indicated that the burden of diabetes appeared to be greatest among non-Hispanic white diabetics. We suggest that this is the result of higher diabetes-mortality rates among minority diabetics at earlier ages.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes is known to be increasing in prevalence and incidence, particularly among the elderly, the fastest growing segment of the population. Our findings indicate that regardless of ethnicity, diabetes carries an increased burden that affects both the functioning and the quality of life of older adults.
Black
S A
SA
Center on Aging, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0860, USA. sblack@utmb.edu
Jakobi
P L
PL
Rush
R D
RD
DiNuzzo
A R
AR
Garcia
D
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology*; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*