title: Diabetes and associated complications in the South Asian population.
abstract: The rising prevalence of diabetes in South Asians has significant health and economic implications. South Asians are predisposed to the development of diabetes due to biologic causes which are exacerbated by lifestyle and environmental factors. Furthermore, they experience significant morbidity and mortality from complications of diabetes, most notably coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiology and genetics of diabetes risk factors and its associated complications in South Asians is paramount to curbing the diabetes epidemic. With this understanding, the appropriate screening, preventative and therapeutic strategies can be implemented and further developed. In this review, we discuss in detail the biologic and lifestyle factors that predispose South Asians to diabetes and review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes in South Asians. We also review the ongoing and completed diabetes prevention and management studies in South Asians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of California, Box 1222, 2200 Post Street, Suite C428, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Arti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Alka M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kanaya
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D044466:Asian People; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014507:Urbanization
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein