A systematic review of diabetes self-care interventions for older, African American, or Latino adults.
This study systematically identified and examined published self-care interventions designed to improve glycemic control or quality of life (QoL) among older, African American, or Latino adults.



Six electronic databases were searched. Eligible publications were those that described an intervention to change knowledge, beliefs, or behavior among adults with diabetes who were either older than 55 years, African American, or Latino, and that measured the outcomes of glycemic control or QoL.



Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 8 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Of the 8 RCTs, improved glycemic control was reported in the intervention arm of 5 RCTs compared with the control arm. Of the 4 RCTs that examined QoL, improved QoL was reported in the intervention arm of 1 study. Characteristics of successful interventions included poor glycemic control at baseline (A1C > 11%), cultural or age-tailoring the intervention, use of group counseling or support, and involvement of spouses and adult children.



Large-scale clinical trials designed according to cultural and age criteria specific for older Latinos and African Americans with diabetes are needed to determine how best to address this growing public health problem.
Sarkisian
Catherine A
CA
The Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, UCLA School  of Medicine, Los Angeles, California (Drs Sarkisian and Mangione)
Brown
Arleen F
AF
The Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, UCLA School  of Medicine, Los Angeles, California (Drs Brown and Mangione)
Norris
Keith C
KC
The De­partment of Internal Medicine, Charles Drew School of Medicine (Dr Norris), Los Angeles, CA.
Wintz
Ruth L
RL
The Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, UCLA School  of Medicine, Los Angeles, California (Dr  Wintz)
Mangione
Carol M
CM
The Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, UCLA School  of Medicine, Los Angeles, California (Drs Sarkisian and Mangione)|The Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, UCLA School  of Medicine, Los Angeles, California (Drs Brown and Mangione)
D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards