Race and referral to diabetes education in primary care patients with prediabetes and diabetes.
The purpose of the study was to determine whether there are any race-related disparities in the prevalence of provisions for diabetes education in primary care clinics for patients with diabetes and prediabetes.



A retrospective cross-sectional study of 3967 patients aged 14 to >89 years with prediabetes and diabetes. Medical record data from patient encounters within primary care clinics at a large academic medical health system between July 1, 2008, and July 31, 2013, were used to determine rates of referral for diabetes education by race. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess associations between race and referral to diabetes education. Separate regression models were computed for patients who were prediabetic and diabetic. Adjusted models included age, sex, A1C, health care utilization, smoking, and diagnosis for depression, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, vascular disease, and obesity.



Compared to that of white patients, a significantly higher prevalence of African American patients with prediabetes were referred to diabetes education, and this association was also observed in patients with diabetes. In fully adjusted models, white patients with prediabetes were significantly less likely to be referred.



Being African American independently increased the likelihood of referral for diabetes education in patients with prediabetes and patients with diabetes. After adjusting for patient comorbidities and risk factors, this association remained significant for patients with prediabetes. Additional research is needed to determine if provider beliefs and attitudes regarding race and diabetes education account for this association.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Hooks-Anderson, Dr Crannage, Ms Salas, Dr Scherrer)
Denise R
DR
Hooks-Anderson
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Division of Ambulatory Care, St Louis College of Pharmacy, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Crannage)
Erica F
EF
Crannage
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Hooks-Anderson, Dr Crannage, Ms Salas, Dr Scherrer)
Joanne
J
Salas
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Hooks-Anderson, Dr Crannage, Ms Salas, Dr Scherrer)
Jeffrey F
JF
Scherrer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000208:ethnology*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063505:Racism / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult