title: Epidemiological and clinical study of diabetes in immigrants from Bangladesh in Athens versus Greek patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Greece has experienced a large wave of immigration from Bangladesh. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Bangladeshi immigrants with diabetes have poorer preventive follow-up and diabetes self-care compared to Greek patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 166 patients from Bangladesh and 123 patients from Greece were recruited. Interviews were conducted, a physical examination followed and blood and urine samples were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients from Bangladesh had worse glycemic control (A1C=7.74±1.6 vs. 7.55±1.7%; p=0.3), and lower high-density lipoprotein levels (33.99±9.4 vs. 44.05±10.43 mg/dl; p=0.037). They were less likely to regularly take their medication for diabetes mellitus, or to follow dietary recommendations. However, fewer of them smoked, and had a significantly lower body mass index than Greek patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bangladeshi immigrants are less likely to engage self-care behaviors and have worse glycemic control and less access to medication, laboratory test and healthcare Units.
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital, Piraeus, Greece.
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Papadakis
authors: Department of Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Zampelis
authors: Department of Medical Biopathology, Aeginition Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Michalopoulou
authors: Department of Haematology, Laikon University Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Kostas
authors: K
authors: Konstantopoulos
authors: First Surgical Clinic, Laikon University Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Theofilos
authors: T
authors: Rosenberg
authors: Department of Medical Biopathology, Aeginition Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece schatzi@med.uoa.gr schatzipa@gmail.com.
authors: Stylianos
authors: S
authors: Chatzipanagiotou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044382:Population Groups; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose
keywords: Bangladeshi immigrants; Diabetes; Greek National Health System; self-management behavior