Diabetes health disparities: a systematic review of health care interventions

Family and Community Influences on Diabetes-Related Dietary Change in a Low-Income Urban Neighborhood

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of the social environment, including family and community relationships, on diabetes-related dietary change behaviors in a low-income, predominantly African American community with limited access to healthy foods.

Methods

Study methods included interviews and focus groups with adults with diabetes and family members of individuals with diabetes in a low-income African American community. In this analysis, interview participants included 11 participants with diabetes, one with prediabetes, and 8 family members or close friends with diabetes. Information from 4 participants with diabetes and 6 with family members with diabetes was included from 6 focus groups. Transcripts were analyzed via thematic iterative coding influenced by social cognitive theory to understand the influence of family and community relationships on dietary change.

Results

Participants’ social environments strongly influenced diet-related behavioral change. Family members without diabetes provided reinforcements for dietary change for those with diabetes by preparing healthy food and monitoring intake, as well as by adopting dietary changes made by those with diabetes. Family and community members served as sources of observational learning about the potential impacts of diabetes and enhanced behavioral capability for dietary change among people with diabetes by providing dietary advice and strategies for making healthy choices.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the ways in which family and community members can influence dietary change in people with diabetes. Interventions targeting diabetes management should incorporate families and communities as sources of information, learning, and support.

Using comparative effectiveness research to remedy health disparities

Health disparities are an important and continuing problem of considerable research importance. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is an excellent vehicle to evaluate interventions to remedy disparities. We classify CER for disparities at three levels of science: basic biology, care and systems, and social and cultural context. In basic biology, genomics will delineate treatments for specific individuals and populations. Care and systems interventions are most important research areas to improve process and quality measures. However, there is evidence that correction of healthcare processes disparities will not be sufficient to improve health and that social and cultural research may be key in this regard. The methodology of CER for disparities is the same as that of other research with randomized controlled trials the gold standard and database analysis, and other observational and quasi-experimental methods important and effective. In addition, mixed methods and multilevel modeling offer promise. Community involvement in research and patient preferences among high-quality choices need to be included in planning of CER.

Integrated community-healthcare diabetes interventions to reduce disparities

Racial and ethnic minorities suffer disproportionately from diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. With the creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) under the Affordable Care Act, healthcare organizations may have an increased motivation to implement interventions that collaborate with community resources and organizations. As a result, there will be an increasing need for evidence-based strategies that integrate healthcare and community components to reduce diabetes disparities. This paper summarizes the types of community/health system partnerships that have been implemented over the past several years to improve minority health and reduce disparities among racial/ethnic minorities and describes the components that are most commonly integrated. In addition, we provide our recommendations for creating stronger healthcare and community partnerships through enhanced community support.

"I Kept Coming for the Love": Enhancing the Retention of Urban African Americans in Diabetes Education

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to investigate how retention strategies employed by the Diabetes Empowerment Program (DEP) contributed to retention.

METHODS

An experienced moderator conducted in-depth interviews (n = 7) and 4 focus groups (n = 29) with former DEP participants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using iteratively modified coding guidelines. Results were analyzed using Atlas.ti 4.2 software.

RESULTS

Participants were African American and predominantly female, low income, and with more than 1 diabetes complication. Key retention themes included: (1) educator characteristics and interpersonal skills ("The warmth of the staff . . . kept me coming back for more."), (2) accessible information ("I didn't know anything about diabetes [before]. I was just given the medicine."), (3) social support ("I realized I wasn't the only one who has diabetes."), (4) the use of narrative ("It's enlightening to talk about [my diabetes]."), and (5) the African American helping tradition ("I went not just for myself but for my husband.").

CONCLUSIONS

While many interventions focus on costly logistics and incentives to retain at-risk participants, study findings suggest that utilizing culturally tailored curricula and emphasizing interpersonal skills and social support may be more effective strategies to retain low-income African Americans in diabetes education programs.

Molecular and bioenergetic differences between cells with African versus European inherited mitochondrial DNA haplogroups: implications for population susceptibility to diseases

The geographic origins of populations can be identified by their maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups. This study compared human cybrids (cytoplasmic hybrids), which are cell lines with identical nuclei but mitochondria from different individuals with mtDNA from either the H haplogroup or L haplogroup backgrounds. The most common European haplogroup is H while individuals of maternal African origin are of the L haplogroup. Despite lower mtDNA copy numbers, L cybrids had higher expression levels for nine mtDNA-encoded respiratory complex genes, decreased ATP (adenosine triphosphate) turnover rates and lower levels of reactive oxygen species production, parameters which are consistent with more efficient oxidative phosphorylation. Surprisingly, GeneChip arrays showed that the L and H cybrids had major differences in expression of genes of the canonical complement system (5 genes), dermatan/chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis (5 genes) and CCR3 (chemokine, CC motif, receptor 3) signaling (9 genes). Quantitative nuclear gene expression studies confirmed that L cybrids had (a) lower expression levels of complement pathway and innate immunity genes and (b) increased levels of inflammation-related signaling genes, which are critical in human diseases. Our data support the hypothesis that mtDNA haplogroups representing populations from different geographic origins may play a role in differential susceptibilities to diseases.

Implementing community-based diabetes programs: the scripps whittier diabetes institute experience

Diabetes affects a large and growing segment of the US population. Ethnic and racial minorities are at disproportionate risk for diabetes, with Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks showing a near doubling of risk relative to non-Hispanic Whites. There is an urgent need to identify low cost, effective, and easily implementable primary and secondary prevention approaches, as well as tertiary strategies that delay disease progression, complications, and associated deterioration in function in patients with diabetes. The Chronic Care Model provides a well-accepted framework for improving diabetes and chronic disease care in the community and primary care medical home. A number of community-based diabetes programs have incorporated this model into their infrastructure. Diabetes programs must offer accessible information and support throughout the community and must be delivered in a format that is understood, regardless of literacy and socioeconomic status. This article will discuss several successful, culturally competent community-based programs and the key elements needed to implement the programs at a community or health system level. Health systems together with local communities can integrate the elements of community-based programs that are effective across the continuum of the care to enhance patient-centered outcomes, enable patient acceptability and ultimately lead to improved patient engagement and satisfaction.

Integrating diabetes self-management interventions for mexican-americans into the catholic church setting

Churches provide an innovative and underutilized setting for diabetes self-management programs for Latinos. This study sought to formulate a conceptual framework for designing church-based programs that are tailored to the needs of the Latino community and that utilize church strengths and resources. To inform this model, we conducted six focus groups with mostly Mexican-American Catholic adults with diabetes and their family members (N = 37) and found that participants were interested in church-based diabetes programs that emphasized information sharing, skills building, and social networking. Our model demonstrates that many of these requested components can be integrated into the current structure and function of the church. However, additional mechanisms to facilitate access to medical care may be necessary to support community members' diabetes care.

Public health program planning logic model for community engaged type 2 diabetes management and prevention

Diabetes remains a growing epidemic with widening health inequity gaps in disease management, self-management knowledge, access to care and outcomes. Yet there is a paucity of evaluation tools for community engaged interventions aimed at closing the gaps and improving health. The Guide to Community Preventive Services (the Community Guide) developed by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (the Task Force) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two healthcare system level interventions, case management interventions and disease management programs, to improve glycemic control. However, as a public health resource guide for diabetes interventions a model for community engagement is a glaringly absent component of the Community Guide recommendations. In large part there are few evidence-based interventions featuring community engagement as a practice and system-level focus of chronic disease and Type 2 diabetes management. The central argument presented in this paper is that the absence of these types of interventions is due to the lack of tools for modeling and evaluating such interventions, especially among disparate and poor populations. A conceptual model emphasizing action-oriented micro-level community engagement is needed to complement the Community Guide and serve as the basis for testing and evaluation of these kinds of interventions. A unique logic model advancing the Community Guide diabetes recommendations toward measureable and sustainable community engagement for improved Type 2 diabetes outcomes is presented.

The association of binge eating and neighbourhood fast-food restaurant availability on diet and weight status

OBJECTIVE

Fast-food restaurants (FFR) are prevalent. Binge eating is common among overweight and obese women. For women prone to binge eating, neighbourhood FFR availability (i.e. the neighbourhood around one's home) may promote poor diet and overweight/obesity. The present study tested the effects of binge eating and neighbourhood FFR availability on diet (fat and total energy intake) and BMI among African American and Hispanic/Latino women.

DESIGN

All measures represent baseline data from the Health is Power randomized clinical trial. The numbers of FFR in participants' neighbourhoods were counted and dichotomized (0 or ≥1 neighbourhood FFR). Participants completed measures of binge eating status and diet. Weight and height were measured and BMI calculated. 2 (binge eating status) × 2 (neighbourhood FFR availability) ANCOVA tested effects on diet and BMI while controlling for demographics.

SETTING

Houston and Austin, TX, USA.

SUBJECTS

African American and Hispanic/Latino women aged 25-60 years.

RESULTS

Of the total sample (n 162), 48 % had 1-15 neighbourhood FFR and 29 % were binge eaters. There was an interaction effect on BMI (P = 0·05). Binge eaters with ≥1 neighbourhood FFR had higher BMI than non-binge eaters or binge eaters with no neighbourhood FFR. There were no significant interactions or neighbourhood FFR main effects on total energy or fat intake (P > 0·05). A main effect of binge eating showed that binge eaters consumed more total energy (P = 0·005) and fat (P = 0·005) than non-binge eaters.

CONCLUSIONS

Binge eaters represented a substantial proportion of this predominantly overweight and obese sample of African American and Hispanic/Latino women. The association between neighbourhood FFR availability and weight status is complicated by binge eating status, which is related to diet.

Community screening for pre-diabetes and diabetes using HbA1c levels in high-risk African Americans and Latinos

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate community screening using HbA1c levels in high risk African Americans and Latinos in those not known to have diabetes.

DESIGN

HbA1c levels were measured in 1542 African Americans and Latinos aged > or = 40 years with one or more of the following risk factors: family history in first degree relatives, waist circumference > or = 40 inches in males or > or = 35 inches in females, and hypertension, either treatment for or a measured BP of > or = 140/ 90 mm Hg. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were offered to those meeting the HbA1c criterion for pre-diabetes.

SETTING

Churches, community health fares, senior citizen sites.

PARTICIPANTS

People without known diabetes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Proportion of people meeting the HbA1c criteria for prediabetes (5.8-6.4%) and diabetes (> or = 6.5%).

RESULTS

32% had one, 50% had two and 18% had three risk factors. By HbA1c criteria, 40% had pre-diabetes and 25% had diabetes. Increased waist circumference was the most common risk factor followed by a positive family history, and lastly, hypertension. Each individual risk factor was significantly (P < .001) and progressively more common as glycemia increased. Each additional risk factor increased the odds of pre-diabetes or diabetes by 2- to 4-fold. In individuals with pre-diabetes who underwent an OGTT, 59% were normal, 35% had pre-diabetes and only 6% had diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Community screening of high risk African Americans and Latinos with HbA1c levels identifies a large proportion of people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Those identified with pre-diabetes are unlikely to meet the OGTT criteria for diabetes.

The association of English ability and glycemic control among Latinos with diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Language barriers may be significant contributors to diabetes disparities. We sought to assess the association of English speaking ability with glycemic control among Latinos with diabetes.

METHODS

We analyzed 167 Latinos from a cross-sectional survey of adults with type 2 diabetes. The main outcome was HbA1c > or =7.0%. The main predictor was self-reported English speaking ability. Adjusted analyses accounted for age, sex, education, annual income, health insurance status, duration of diabetes, birth in the United States, and years in the United States.

RESULTS

In unadjusted analyses, point estimates for the odds of having a high HbAlc revealed a U-shaped curve with English speaking ability. Those who spoke English very well (OR=2.32, 95% CI, 1.00-5.41) or not at all (OR=4.11, 95% CI 1.35-12.54) had higher odds of having an elevated HbA1c than those who spoke English well, although this was only statistically significant for those who spoke no English. In adjusted analyses, the U-shaped curve persisted with the highest odds among those who spoke English very well (OR=3.20, 95% CI 1.05-9.79) or not at all (OR 4.95, 95% CI 1.29-18.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between English speaking ability and diabetes management is more complex than previously described. Interventions aimed at improving diabetes outcomes may need to be tailored to specific subgroups within the Latino population.

Thirty years of disparities intervention research: what are we doing to close racial and ethnic gaps in health care?

BACKGROUND

A systematic scan of the disparities intervention literature will allow researchers, providers, and policymakers to understand which interventions are being evaluated to improve minority health and which areas require further research.

METHODS

We systematically categorized 391 disparities intervention articles published between 1979 and 2011, covering 11 diseases. We developed a taxonomy of disparities interventions using qualitative theme analysis. We identified the tactic, or what was done to intervene; the strategy, or a group of tactics with common characteristics; and the level, or who was targeted by the effort.

RESULTS

The taxonomy included 44 tactics, 9 strategies, and 6 levels. Delivering education and training was the most common strategy (37%). Within education and training, the most common tactics were education about disease (14%) and self-management (11%), whereas communication skills training (3%) and decision-making aids (1%) were less frequent. The strategy of actively engaging the community through tactics such as community health workers and outreach efforts accounted for 6.5% of tactics. Interventions most commonly targeted patients (50%) and community members who were not established patients of the intervening organization (32%). Interventions targeting providers (7%), the microsystem (immediate care team) (9%), organizations (3%), and policies (0.1%) were less common.

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities researchers have predominantly focused on the patient as the target for change; future research should also investigate how to improve the system that serves minority patients. Areas for further study include interventions that engage the community, educational interventions that address communication barriers, and the impact of policy reform on disparities in care.

Race/ethnic difference in diabetes and diabetic complications

Health disparities in diabetes and its complications and comorbidities exist globally. A recent Endocrine Society Scientific Statement described the Health Disparities in several endocrine disorders, including type 2 diabetes. In this review, we summarize that statement and provide novel updates on race/ethnic differences in children and adults with type 1 diabetes, children with type 2 diabetes, and in Latino subpopulations. We also review race/ethnic differences in the epidemiology of diabetes, prediabetes, and diabetes complications and mortality in the United States and globally. Finally, we discuss biological, behavioral, social, environmental, and health system contributors to diabetes disparities to identify areas for future preventive interventions.

Culturally competent interventions in Type 2 diabetes mellitus management: an equity-oriented literature review

OBJECTIVES

Although, culturally competent (CC) interventions aim to reduce health inequalities for ethnic minorities, they have been criticized on the grounds that they increase prejudice and stereotyping. It remains unclear whether CC interventions really can reduce health inequalities among ethnic minorities. The purpose of this review is to assess whether CC interventions in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) match the recommendations to reduce health inequalities.

DESIGN

We identified CC interventions relating to T2DM among ethnic minority patients in the literature published between 2005 and 2011. Data were analyzed according to an equity-oriented framework. Each study was given a score based on its congruence with the reduction of health inequalities amongst ethnic minorities.

RESULTS

We reviewed 137 papers and found 61 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions focused on the individual level and the modification of patients' health behavior. Very few addressed the sociopolitical level. A minority of the studies acknowledged the role of socioeconomic deprivation in ethnic health inequalities. Half of the studies contained no information about the socioeconomic status of the patients. The patients receiving the interventions were socioeconomically deprived. Only 10 studies compared ethnic minority groups to majority groups. Thirty-three studies had a very low average congruence score. The highest score of congruence was achieved by one study.

CONCLUSION

Overall, CC interventions addressing T2DM are not congruent with the reduction of ethnic health inequalities. The future of CC interventions may involve going one step further and going back to basic tenets of cultural competence: the integration of difference, whatever its source, into the delivery of fair health care for patients.

Race/ethnic disparities in risk factor control and survival in the bypass angioplasty revascularization investigation 2 diabetes (BARI 2D) trial

This study sought to evaluate the impact of race/ethnicity on cardiovascular risk factor control and on clinical outcomes in a setting of comparable access to medical care. The BARI 2D trial enrolled 1,750 participants from the United States and Canada that self-reported either White non-Hispanic (n = 1,189), Black non-Hispanic (n = 349), or Hispanic (n = 212) race/ethnicity. Participants had type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease and were randomized to cardiac and glycemic treatment strategies. All patients received intensive target-based medical treatment for cardiac risk factors. Average follow-up was 5.3 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to assess potential differences in mortality and cardiovascular outcomes across racial/ethnic groups. Long-term risk of death and death/myocardial infarction/stroke did not vary significantly by race/ethnicity (5-year death: 11.0% Whites, 13.7% Blacks, 8.7% Hispanics, p = 0.19; adjusted hazard ratio 1.18 Black versus White, 95% confidence interval 0.84 to 1.67, p = 0.33 and 0.82 Hispanic versus White, 95% confidence interval 0.51 to 1.34, p = 0.43). Among the 1,168 patients with suboptimal risk factor control at baseline, the ability to attain better risk factor control during the trial was associated with higher 5-year survival (71%, 86% and 95% for patients with 0 or 1, 2, and 3 factors in control, respectively, p <0.001); this pattern was observed within each race/ethnic group. In conclusion, significant race/ethnic differences in cardiac risk profiles that persisted during follow-up did not translate into significant differences in 5-year death or death/MI/stroke.

Effectiveness of two interventions based on improving patient-practitioner communication on diabetes self-management in patients with low educational level: study protocol of a clustered randomized trial in primary care

BACKGROUND

In the last decades the presence of social inequalities in diabetes care has been observed in multiple countries, including Spain. These inequalities have been at least partially attributed to differences in diabetes self-management behaviours. Communication problems during medical consultations occur more frequently to patients with a lower educational level. The purpose of this cluster randomized trial is to determine whether an intervention implemented in a General Surgery, based in improving patient-provider communication, results in a better diabetes self-management in patients with lower educational level. A secondary objective is to assess whether telephone reinforcement enhances the effect of such intervention. We report the design and implementation of this on-going study.

METHODS/DESIGN

The study is being conducted in a General Practice located in a deprived neighbourhood of Granada, Spain. Diabetic patients 18 years old or older with a low educational level and inadequate glycaemic control (HbA1c > 7%) were recruited. General Practitioners (GPs) were randomised to three groups: intervention A, intervention B and control group. GPs allocated to intervention groups A and B received training in communication skills and are providing graphic feedback about glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Patients whose GPs were allocated to group B are additionally receiving telephone reinforcement whereas patients from the control group are receiving usual care. The described interventions are being conducted during 7 consecutive medical visits which are scheduled every three months. The main outcome measure will be HbA1c; blood pressure, lipidemia, body mass index and waist circumference will be considered as secondary outcome measures. Statistical analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions will include multilevel regression analysis with three hierarchical levels: medical visit level, patient level and GP level.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study will provide new knowledge about possible strategies to promote a better diabetes self-management in a particularly vulnerable group. If effective, this low cost intervention will have the potential to be easily incorporated into routine clinical practice, contributing to decrease health inequalities in diabetic patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials U.S. National Institutes of Health, NCT01849731.

Reward-based, task-setting education strategy on glycemic control and self-management for low-income outpatients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility and effect of a reward-based, task-setting strategy for low-income outpatients with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Indigent diabetes outpatients without glucometers were eligible to participate in this trial. A total of 132 cases were randomly recruited. Participants in group B used glucometers for self-monitoring at no cost. Group A participants could keep the glucometers only if the glycosylated hemoglobin level declined compared with the baseline visit; for those not achieving a reduction in the glycosylated hemoglobin level, the glucometers would have to be returned. Group C served as the control group without self-monitoring setout. Diabetes education was provided to all groups. Metabolic indices and self-management were evaluated after 6 months of follow up.

RESULTS

Group A had a significant decline in the glycosylated hemoglobin level (-0.97%) and medical costs (-159 yuan) compared with the baseline visit, whereas groups B and C had a decrease in the glycosylated hemoglobin levels alone (-0.62 and -0.57%, respectively). The body mass index did not change significantly in any group. There was a statistical difference in the glycosylated hemoglobin level of group A compared with groups B and C. Self-management in group A improved the outcome relative to groups B and C.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary evidence suggests that the program is feasible, acceptable for improving patient self-management, and cost-effective in reducing the glycosylated hemoglobin level and medical costs.

Implementation of the power to prevent diabetes prevention educational curriculum into rural African American communities: a feasibility study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility of using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to implement the Power to Prevent (P2P) diabetes prevention education curriculum in rural African American (AA) settings.

METHODS

Trained community health workers facilitated the 12-session P2P curriculum across 3 community settings. Quantitative (based on the pre- and post-curriculum questionnaires and changes in blood glucose, blood pressure [BP], and weight at baseline and 6 months) and qualitative data (based on semi-structured interviews with facilitators) were collected. Indicators of feasibility included: demand, acceptability, implementation fidelity, and limited efficacy testing.

RESULTS

Across 3 counties, 104 AA participants were recruited; 43% completed ≥ 75% of the sessions. There was great demand for the program. Fifteen community health ambassadors (CHAs) were trained, and 4 served as curriculum facilitators. Content and structure of the intervention was acceptable to facilitators but there were challenges to implementing the program as designed. Improvements were seen in diabetes knowledge and the impact of healthy eating and physical activity on diabetes prevention, but there were no significant changes in blood glucose, BP, or weight.

CONCLUSION

While it is feasible to use a CBPR approach to recruit participants and implement the P2P curriculum in AA community settings, there are significant challenges that must be overcome.

Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes: the Coached Care (R2D2C2) project

BACKGROUND

Despite numerous efforts to change healthcare delivery, the profile of disparities in diabetes care and outcomes has not changed substantially over the past decade.

OBJECTIVE

To understand potential contributors to disparities in diabetes care and glycemic control.

DESIGN

Cross sectional analysis.

SETTING

Seven outpatient clinics affiliated with an academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Adult patients with type 2 diabetes who were Mexican American, Vietnamese American or non-Hispanic white (n = 1,484).

MEASUREMENTS

Glycemic control was measured as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level. Patient, provider and system characteristics included demographic characteristics; access to care; quality of process of care including clinical inertia; quality of interpersonal care; illness burden; mastery (diabetes management confidence, passivity); and adherence to treatment.

RESULTS

Unadjusted HbA1c values were significantly higher for Mexican American patients (n = 782) (mean = 8.3 % [SD:2.1]) compared with non-Hispanic whites (n = 389) (mean = 7.1 % [SD:1.4]). There were no significant differences in HbA1c values between Vietnamese American and non-Hispanic white patients. There were no statistically significant group differences in glycemic control after adjustment for multiple measures of access, and quality of process and interpersonal care. Disease management mastery and adherence to treatment were related to glycemic control for all patients, independent of race/ethnicity.

LIMITATIONS

Generalizability to other minorities or to patients with poorer access to care may be limited.

CONCLUSIONS

The complex interplay among patient, physician and system characteristics contributed to disparities in HbA1c between Mexican American and non-Hispanic white patients. In contrast, Vietnamese American patients achieved HbA1c levels comparable to non-Hispanic whites and adjustment for numerous characteristics failed to identify confounders that could have masked disparities in this subgroup. Disease management mastery appeared to be an important contributor to glycemic control for all patient subgroups.

Understanding the physical activity promotion behaviours of podiatrists: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Health professionals are encouraged to play a part in reducing the health risks of physical inactivity. Little is known of the physical activity promotion practice behaviours of podiatrists.

METHODS

We performed 20 semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected podiatrists to explore their physical activity promotion attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and practice. Transcribed interviews were coded using an iterative thematic approach to identify major themes and salient beliefs.

RESULTS

Overall, the participants had a positive attitude to physical activity promotion, considering it a normal part of their role. They saw their role as giving information, encouraging activity and making recommendations, however in practice they were less inclined to follow up on recommendations, monitor activity levels or document the process. Their approach was generally opportunistic, informal and unstructured and the content of assessment and promotion dependent upon the presenting patient's condition. Advice tended to be tailored to the patient's capabilities and interests. They considered there are opportunities to promote physical activity during regular consultations, however, were more likely to do so in patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Main barriers to physical activity promotion included unreceptive and unmotivated patients as well as a lack of time, skills and resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity promotion appears feasible in podiatry practice in terms of opportunity and acceptability to practitioners, but there is scope for improvement. Strategies to improve promotion need to consider the major issues, barriers and opportunities as well as provide a more structured approach to physical activity promotion by podiatrists.

HLA class II genotyping of African American type 1 diabetic patients reveals associations unique to African haplotypes

HLA genotyping was performed in African American type 1 diabetic patients (n = 772) and controls (n = 1,641) in the largest study of African Americans and type 1 diabetes reported to date. Cases were from Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland and from existing collections (Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium [T1DGC], Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications [DCCT/EDIC], and Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes [GoKinD]). Controls were from the T1DGC and from newborn bloodspot cards. The diversity of HLA DRB1-DQA1-DQB1 haplotypes and genotypes is far greater than that found in Europeans and European Americans. Association analyses replicated many type 1 diabetes risk effects of European-derived haplotypes but also revealed novel effects for African-derived haplotypes. Notably, the African-specific "DR3" haplotype DRB1*03:02-DQA1*04:01-DQB1*04:02 is protective for type 1 diabetes, in contrast to the common and highly-susceptible DR3 DRB1*03:01-DQA1*05:01-DQB1*02:01. Both DRB1*07:01 and DRB1*13:03 haplotypes are predisposing when they include DQA1*03:01-DQB1*02:01g but are protective with DQA1*02:01-DQB1*02:01g. The heterozygous DR4/DR9 genotype, containing the African-derived "DR9" haplotype DRB1*09:01-DQA1*03:01-DQB1*02:01g, exhibits extremely high risk (odds ratio = 30.88), approaching that for DR3/DR4 in European populations. Disease risk assessment for African Americans differs greatly from risk assessment in European populations. This has profound implications on risk screening programs and underscores the need for high-resolution genotyping of multiple populations for the rational design of screening programs with tests that will fairly represent the population being screened.

An additional cause of health care disparities: the variable clinical decisions of primary care doctors

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Decades of work on health disparities have culminated in identification of three contributors to variability in diagnosis and management of disease: (i) patient attributes; (ii) doctor's characteristics; and (iii) organizational factors. Understanding the relative influence of different contributors to variability in diagnosis and management of diabetes is important to improving quality and reducing disparities. This study was designed to examine the influence of patient, provider and organizational factors on the diagnosis and management of a major chronic disease - diabetes.

METHOD

A factorial experiment using video vignettes was conducted among n = 192 primary care doctors. Doctors were interviewed after viewing vignettes of (1) a 'patient' with symptoms strongly suggestive of diabetes and (2) an already diagnosed diabetes 'patient' with emerging peripheral neuropathy.

RESULTS

A total of 60.9% of doctors identified diabetes as the correct diagnosis, with significant variations depending on the patients' race/ethnicity. Many doctors offered competing diagnoses with high levels of certainty. For the 'patient' with emerging peripheral neuropathy, 42.2% of doctors would do all essential components of a foot examination, while 21.9% would do none.

CONCLUSIONS

That half of all diabetes in the United States remains undiagnosed is unsurprising given only 60.9% of doctors would diagnose it when the condition is strongly suggested, and nearly one-quarter suspecting diabetes would not order tests necessary to confirm it. The diagnosis of diabetes is significantly influenced by a patient's race/ethnicity, and clinical management (specifically for foot neuropathy) is influenced by patient socio-economic status (SES), doctor's gender and access to clinical guidelines.

Diabetes self-management in a low-income population: impacts of social support and relationships with the health care system

OBJECTIVES

This article reports on results of a qualitative study of social supports and institutional resources utilized by individuals living with diabetes in a high-poverty urban setting. The goal was to examine how access to social capital among low-income populations facilitates and impedes their self-efficacy in diabetes self-management.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 patients with diabetes from a safety net primary care practice in Buffalo, New York.

RESULTS

Facilitators and barriers to successful self-management were identified in three broad areas: (1) the influence of social support networks; (2) the nature of the doctor-patient relationship; and (3) the nature of patient-health care system relationship. Patients' unmet needs were also highlighted across these three areas.

DISCUSSION

Participants identified barriers to effective diabetes self-management directly related to their low-income status, such as inadequate insurance, and mistrust of the medical system. It may be necessary for patients to activate social capital from multiple social spheres to achieve the most effective diabetes management.

The chronic care model and diabetes management in US primary care settings: a systematic review

Introduction

The Chronic Care Model (CCM) uses a systematic approach to restructuring medical care to create partnerships between health systems and communities. The objective of this study was to describe how researchers have applied CCM in US primary care settings to provide care for people who have diabetes and to describe outcomes of CCM implementation.

Methods

We conducted a literature review by using the Cochrane database of systematic reviews, CINAHL, and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition and the following search terms: “chronic care model” (and) “diabet*.” We included articles published between January 1999 and October 2011. We summarized details on CCM application and health outcomes for 16 studies.

Results

The 16 studies included various study designs, including 9 randomized controlled trials, and settings, including academic-affiliated primary care practices and private practices. We found evidence that CCM approaches have been effective in managing diabetes in US primary care settings. Organizational leaders in health care systems initiated system-level reorganizations that improved the coordination of diabetes care. Disease registries and electronic medical records were used to establish patient-centered goals, monitor patient progress, and identify lapses in care. Primary care physicians (PCPs) were trained to deliver evidence-based care, and PCP office–based diabetes self-management education improved patient outcomes. Only 7 studies described strategies for addressing community resources and policies.

Conclusion

CCM is being used for diabetes care in US primary care settings, and positive outcomes have been reported. Future research on integration of CCM into primary care settings for diabetes management should measure diabetes process indicators, such as self-efficacy for disease management and clinical decision making.

Factors contributing to diabetes patients not receiving annual dilated eye examinations

PURPOSE

Early detection of diabetic eye disease by dilated eye exam can limit potential vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. The purpose of this study was to examine what variables contribute to diabetes patients not receiving annual dilated eye examinations.

METHODS

This study used national 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data. Variables used in the analysis included sociodemographics, insurance status, mentally unhealthy days, receipt of annual dilated eye exams, insulin dependence, a history of diabetes education classes, timely annual diabetic foot exams, and history of cardiovascular disease. Survey proportions were calculated, and survey logistic regression was performed with the consideration of survey strata and weight to correct for biases.

RESULTS

The likelihood of receiving annual dilated eye exams was correlated with eight statistically significant variables. These variables included age category, income level, education level, health insurance status, mentally unhealthy days within the past month, insulin dependence, a history of diabetic education classes, and timeliness of annual diabetic foot examinations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a snapshot of variables that may have a bearing on diabetes patients seeking annual dilated retinal examinations. Eight variables were statistically significant in affecting the timeliness of diabetic eye examinations. Thus, resolutions for these factors could be implemented for future improvement of comprehensive health care provided to those with diabetes.

Influence of patient characteristics on assessment of diabetes self-management support

BACKGROUND

Factors contributing to patient-reported experiences of diabetes self-management support are not understood well, particularly over time.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to identify the contribution of patient characteristics to patient-reported quality of SMS.

METHODS

Using secondary data from a prospective clinical trial (n = 339) comparing three approaches of providing diabetes self-management support (Group Medical Visits, Automated Telephone Support, and Usual Care) in a diverse, underserved population, the influence of patient characteristics (e.g., age, gender, income, and health status) was examined on Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care ratings.

RESULTS

At baseline, older age (p = .014), being female (p = .038), and having lower income (p = .001) were associated with lower ratings. Income and interactions involving income combined explained 12% of the variance in baseline ratings. Compared with White patients, African American and Asian patients tended to have higher baseline ratings (p = .076 and p = .045, respectively). Race or ethnicity influenced perceptions throughout the trial, explaining 5% of the variance at baseline and 2% of the variance in 1-year changes in Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care ratings. As expected, over 1 year, ratings increased more for patients in both intervention groups compared with the control group (p < .001).

DISCUSSION

Ratings of healthcare quality are influenced by patient characteristics independent of the nature of the care provided. Understanding more precisely how these differences are associated with differences in clinical processes will be particularly important for efforts aiming to integrate patient-reported measures into assessments of healthcare quality during routine clinical care and clinical trials.

Racial and ethnic disparities in the treatment of unruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in the United States

PURPOSE

Previous studies have found increased mortality in minority patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The goal of this study was to identify racial and ethnic disparities in patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005-2009) using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for repair of unruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysms. The primary outcome was death. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications. We performed multivariate analysis adjusting for age, gender, race, comorbidities (Charlson index), insurance type, and surgeon and hospital operative volumes and characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall, 1541 white, 207 black, and 117 Hispanic patients underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. White patients tended to be older (P = 0.003), whereas black patients had a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.04). Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to have an elective admission (P < 0.001) and more likely to have repair performed at a hospital with a lower average annual surgical volume (P = 0.04). Postoperative complications were similar among the groups (P = 0.31). On multivariate analysis, increased mortality was independently associated with Hispanic ethnicity (relative ratio [RR], 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-5.25; P = 0.01), cerebrovascular disease (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10-3.23; P = 0.02), and age (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Hispanic ethnicity is independently associated with increased mortality after repair of unruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysms. This finding was independent of preoperative comorbidities, postoperative complications, and surgeon and hospital operative volumes. Further studies are necessary to determine whether this mortality difference persists after the index hospitalization.

SHRINE: enabling nationally scalable multi-site disease studies

Results of medical research studies are often contradictory or cannot be reproduced. One reason is that there may not be enough patient subjects available for observation for a long enough time period. Another reason is that patient populations may vary considerably with respect to geographic and demographic boundaries thus limiting how broadly the results apply. Even when similar patient populations are pooled together from multiple locations, differences in medical treatment and record systems can limit which outcome measures can be commonly analyzed. In total, these differences in medical research settings can lead to differing conclusions or can even prevent some studies from starting. We thus sought to create a patient research system that could aggregate as many patient observations as possible from a large number of hospitals in a uniform way. We call this system the ‘Shared Health Research Information Network’, with the following properties: (1) reuse electronic health data from everyday clinical care for research purposes, (2) respect patient privacy and hospital autonomy, (3) aggregate patient populations across many hospitals to achieve statistically significant sample sizes that can be validated independently of a single research setting, (4) harmonize the observation facts recorded at each institution such that queries can be made across many hospitals in parallel, (5) scale to regional and national collaborations. The purpose of this report is to provide open source software for multi-site clinical studies and to report on early uses of this application. At this time SHRINE implementations have been used for multi-site studies of autism co-morbidity, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, peripartum cardiomyopathy, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and others. The wide range of study objectives and growing adoption suggest that SHRINE may be applicable beyond the research uses and participating hospitals named in this report.

Impact of a quality improvement intervention on provider adherence to recommended standards of care for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To report provider adherence to standards of care for adults with type 2 diabetes before and after a quality improvement (QI) intervention.

DATA SOURCES

Pre- and post intervention data were abstracted from 50 medical records of patients with type 2 diabetes in a small primary care practice.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant increase in the rates of foot and urine microalbumin screenings, documentation for dilated eye exams were not statistically significant. These findings demonstrated the effectiveness of using simple practice aids to reinforce adherence to the standards of care in diabetes. The failure to see a corresponding improvement in glycemic and blood pressure control is consistent with prior research and the need for more research in this area remain critical.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Ethnic minorities are more likely to have worse control of their diabetes and more likely to receive all their care in the primary care setting, QI interventions targeting primary care providers have the potential to reduce disparities in diabetes care. Future research to determine whether cultural tailoring of diabetes QI interventions will produce additional benefits above those of generic diabetes QI interventions are needed.

Establishing the infrastructure to conduct comparative effectiveness research toward the elimination of disparities: a community-based participatory research framework

In Tampa, Florida, researchers have partnered with community- and faith-based organizations to create the Comparative Effectiveness Research for Eliminating Disparities (CERED) infrastructure. Grounded in community-based participatory research, CERED acts on multiple levels of society to enhance informed decision making (IDM) of prostate cancer screening among Black men. CERED investigators combined both comparative effectiveness research and community-based participatory research to design a trial examining the effectiveness of community health workers and a digitally enhanced patient decision aid to support IDM in community settings as compared with "usual care" for prostate cancer screening. In addition, CERED researchers synthesized evidence through the development of systematic literature reviews analyzing the effectiveness of community health workers in changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of African American adults toward cancer prevention and education. An additional systematic review analyzed chemoprevention agents for prostate cancer as an emerging technique. Both of these reviews, and the comparative effectiveness trial supporting the IDM process, add to CERED's goal of providing evidence to eliminate cancer health disparities.

Feasibility of community-based screening for cardiovascular disease risk in an ethnic community: the South Asian Cardiovascular Health Assessment and Management Program (SA-CHAMP)

Background

South Asian Canadians experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goal of this qualitative study was to determine the feasibility of implementing a sustainable, culturally adapted, community-based CVD risk factor screening program for this population.

Methods

South Asians (≥ 45 years) in Calgary, Alberta underwent opportunistic cardiovascular risk factor screening by lay trained volunteers at local religious facilities. Those with elevated blood pressure (BP) or ≥ 1 risk factor underwent point of care cholesterol testing, 10-year CVD risk calculation, counseling, and referral to family physicians and local culturally tailored chronic disease management (CDM) programs. Participants were invited for re-screening and were surveyed about health system follow-up, satisfaction with the program and suggestions for improvement. Changes in risk factors from baseline were estimated using McNemar’s test (proportions) and paired t-tests (continuous measures).

Results

Baseline assessment was completed for 238 participants (median age 64 years, 51% female). Mean TC, HDL and TC/HDL were 5.41 mmol/L, 1.12 mmol/L and 4.7, respectively. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (mmHg) were 129 and 75 respectively. Blood pressure and TC/HDL ratios exceeded recommended targets in 36% and 58%, respectively, and 76% were at high risk for CVD. Ninety-nine participants (47% female) attended re-screening. 82% had accessed health care providers, 22% reported medication changes and 3.5% had attended the CDM programs. While BP remained unchanged, TC and TC/HDL decreased and HDL increased significantly (mean differences: -0.52 mmol/L, -1.04 and +0.07 mmol/L, respectively). Participants were very satisfied (80%) or satisfied (20%) with the project. Participants suggested screening sessions and CDM programs be more accessible by: delivering evening or weekends programs at more sites, providing transportation, offering multilingual programs/translation assistance, reducing screening wait times and increasing numbers of project staff.

Conclusions

SA-CHAMP demonstrated the feasibility and value of implementing a lay volunteer–led, culturally adapted, sustainable community-based CVD risk factor screening program in South Asian places of worship in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Subsequent screening and CDM programs were refined based on the learnings from this study. Further research is needed to determine physician and patient factors associated with uptake of and adherence to risk reduction strategies.

"It's up to you and God": understanding health behavior change in older African American survivors of colorectal cancer

This study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of older African American colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors that may influence health behavior changes after treatment. Drawing from existing theories of health behavior change and cultural beliefs about health, a semi-structured interview guide was developed to elicit survivors' perspectives. Qualitative focus groups and interviews were conducted with 17 survivors identified through the Detroit Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registry. Using verbatim transcripts from the sessions and NVivo software, thematic analysis was conducted to analyze patterns of responses. Transcripts were coded for seven categories (health behaviors, who/what motivates change, self-efficacy, fatalism, religion/spirituality, beliefs about cancer, race/ethnicity). Five themes emerged from the data (personal responsibility, resilience, desire for information, intentions to change, beliefs in divine control). Findings support the relevance of existing theories of health behavior change to older African American CRC survivors. Cultural considerations are suggested to improve interventions seeking to maximize changes in diet and exercise among this group of survivors.

Peer-supported diabetes prevention program for Turkish- and arabic-speaking communities in australia

In Australia, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are more prevalent in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities than mainstream Australians. Purpose. To develop, implement, and evaluate culturally sensitive peer-supported diabetes education program for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk middle-aged Turkish- and Arabic-speaking people. Methods. A two-day training program was developed. Ten bilingual peer leaders were recruited from existing health and social networks in Melbourne and were trained by diabetes educators. Each leader recruited 10 high-risk people for developing diabetes. Questionnaires were administered, and height, weight, and waist circumference were measured at baseline and three months after the intervention. The intervention comprised two 2-hour group sessions and 30 minutes reinforcement and support telephone calls. Results. 94 individuals (73% women) completed the program. Three months after the program, the participants' mean body weight (before = 78.1 kg, after = 77.3; Z score = -3.415, P = 0.001) and waist circumference (Z = -2.569, P = 0.004) were reduced, their diabetes knowledge was enhanced, and lifestyle behaviours were significantly improved. Conclusions. A short diabetes prevention program delivered by bilingual peers was associated with improved diabetes awareness, changed lifestyle behaviour, and reduction in body weight 3 months after intervention. The findings are encouraging and should stimulate a larger control-designed study.

Developing a behavioral model for mobile phone-based diabetes interventions

OBJECTIVES

Behavioral models for mobile phone-based diabetes interventions are lacking. This study explores the potential mechanisms by which a text message-based diabetes program affected self-management among African-Americans.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth, individual interviews among 18 African-American patients with type 2 diabetes who completed a 4-week text message-based diabetes program. Each interview was audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and imported into Atlas.ti software. Coding was done iteratively. Emergent themes were mapped onto existing behavioral constructs and then used to develop a novel behavioral model for mobile phone-based diabetes self-management programs.

RESULTS

The effects of the text message-based program went beyond automated reminders. The constant, daily communications reduced denial of diabetes and reinforced the importance of self-management (Rosenstock Health Belief Model). Responding positively to questions about self-management increased mastery experience (Bandura Self-Efficacy). Most surprisingly, participants perceived the automated program as a "friend" and "support group" that monitored and supported their self-management behaviors (Barrera Social Support).

CONCLUSIONS

A mobile phone-based diabetes program affected self-management through multiple behavioral constructs including health beliefs, self-efficacy, and social support.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Disease management programs that utilize mobile technologies should be designed to leverage existing models of behavior change and can address barriers to self-management associated with health disparities.

Patient trust in physicians and shared decision-making among African-Americans with diabetes

This study explores patient trust in physicians and its relationship to shared decision-making (SDM) among African-Americans with diabetes (types 1 and 2). We conducted a series of focus groups (n = 27) and in-depth interviews (n = 24). Topic guides were developed utilizing theoretical constructs. Each interview was audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Each transcript was independently coded by two randomly assigned members of the research team; codes and themes were identified in an iterative fashion utilizing Atlas.ti software. The mean age of study participants was 62 years and 85% were female. We found that (1) race as a social construct has the potential to influence key domains of patient trust (interpersonal/relationship aspects and medical skills/technical competence), (2) the relationship between patient trust and shared decision-making is bidirectional in nature, and (3) enhancing patient trust may potentially increase or decrease SDM among African-Americans with diabetes. Mistrust of physicians among African-Americans with diabetes may partially be addressed through (1) patient education efforts, (2) physician training in interpersonal skills and cultural competence, and (3) physician efforts to engage patients in SDM. To help enhance patient outcomes among African-Americans with diabetes, physicians might consider incorporating strategies to simultaneously engender their patients' trust and encourage shared decision-making.

Strategies to reduce diabetes disparities: an update

Racial and ethnic minorities in the US have a higher prevalence, as well as suffer from more complications, lower quality care, and poorer outcomes for diabetes than their counterparts. Given the US health care system is in the midst of drastic transformation, with the passage of health care reform, and efforts in payment reform, and value-based purchasing, there is now support to provide more intensive, team-based care for those conditions that are complex, costly, and highly prevalent. Addressing and improving diabetes disparities, given they are prevalent and costly, will be an important area of focus in the years to come. The latest research demonstrates that community-based efforts, multifactorial approaches, and the deployment of health information technology can be successful in addressing diabetes disparities, and require support, attention, resources, and continued evaluation. Ultimately, these efforts should improve the quality of care for all persons with diabetes, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Health and psychosocial outcomes in U.S. adult patients with diabetes from diverse ethnicities

Within the United States, diabetes is a serious public health concern and patients with diabetes are more likely to experience clinical depression, psychological distress, and depressive symptoms than those without. Negative psychosocial factors are associated with poorer diabetes management and glycemic control. Overall, both the rates of diabetes and related psychological distress are greater for persons of diverse ethnicities than for non-Latino whites, and have reached epidemic proportions in certain groups. The following article will provide an overview across ethnicities of the rates of diabetes, health outcomes, psychosocial outcomes, and unique cultural and linguistic challenges that contribute to disparities within US diabetes patients of diverse ethnicities. Using this information, our hope is that health care practitioners and researchers alike can better respond to the psychosocial needs of ethnically diverse patients.

Impact of a pay for performance program to improve diabetes care in the safety net

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a "piece-rate" pay for performance (P4P) program aimed at improving diabetes care processes, outcomes and related healthcare utilization for patients enrolled in a not-for-profit Medicaid-focused managed care plan.

METHODS

To evaluate Hudson Health Plan's P4P program in New York (2003-2007), we conducted: (1) a case-comparison difference-in-difference study using plan-level administrative data; (2) a patient-level claims data analysis; and (3) a cross-sectional survey.

RESULTS

The case-comparison study found that diabetes care processes (e.g., HbA1c, lipid, and dilated eye exam rates) and outcomes (e.g., LDL-C<100mg/dL) did not improve significantly over the study period. Claims analysis showed that younger adults had significantly increased odds (OR 3.50-3.56, p<0.001) of using emergency and hospital-based services and similarly decreased odds of receiving recommended care process (OR 0.22-0.36, p<0.01-0.001). Survey study indicated that practices lack fundamental quality improvement infrastructures and training.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent health legislation mandates the use of P4P incentives in government programs that disproportionately care for patients with lower socioeconomic or minority backgrounds (e.g., Medicaid, Veterans Health Administration, and Tricare). More research is needed in order to understand how to tailor P4P programs for vulnerable care settings.

Psychometric properties of the Cook Medley hostility scale and its association with inflammatory markers in African Americans

Dispositional hostility as measured by the Cook Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale has been associated with inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. There is evidence that suggests that factors of hostility are more useful in predicting poor cardiovascular health outcomes than a single hostility construct. The purpose of this study was to investigate the latent factors of hostility and their association with inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in an African-American community sample. This racial/ethnic group has been largely excluded from this line of research despite their disproportionate burden of CVD and its risk factors. Blood samples for plasma IL-6 and CRP were collected on the same day the Ho Scale was administered. Plasma IL-6 and CRP levels were determined using enzymatic-linked immunosorbent assay. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed three latent main factors of hostility: Neuroticism, Manichaeism and Moral Primitiveness, and seven intermediary subfactors. Of the subfactors, hostile affect was significantly associated with greater CRP levels and predatory self interest was significantly associated with greater IL-6 levels. Findings suggest that African Americans have a unique pattern of hostility and two latent subfactors are associated with a marker of CVD. Based on the findings, future studies should aim to further delineate how hostility influences health outcomes in African Americans.

Patients' engagement in primary care: powerlessness and compounding jeopardy. A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Primary health care does not adequately respond to populations known to have high needs such as those with compounding jeopardy from chronic conditions, poverty, minority status and age; as such populations report powerlessness.

OBJECTIVE

To explore what poor older adults with chronic conditions who mostly belong to ethnic minority groups say they want from clinicians.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Participants were older adults whose chronic conditions were severe enough to require hospital admission more than twice in the previous 12 months. All participants lived in poor localities in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.

METHODS

Forty-two in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using qualitative description.

RESULTS

An outward acceptance of health care belied an underlying dissatisfaction with low engagement. Participants did not feel heard and wanted information conveyed in a way that indicated clinicians understood them in the context of their lives. Powerlessness, anger, frustration and non-concordance were frequent responses.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Despite socio-cultural and disease-related complexity, patients pursue the (unrealised) ideal of an engaged therapeutic relationship with an understanding clinician. Powerlessness means that the onus is upon the health system and the clinician to engage. Engagement means building a relationship on the basis of social, cultural and clinical knowledge and demonstrating a shift in the way clinicians choose to think and interact in patient care. Respectful listening and questioning can deepen clinicians' awareness of patients' most important concerns. Enabling patients to direct the consultation is a way to integrate clinician expertise with what patients need and value.

Evaluation of insulin expression and secretion in genetically engineered gut K and L-cells

Background

Gene therapy could provide an effective treatment of diabetes. Previous studies have investigated the potential for several cell and tissue types to produce mature and active insulin. Gut K and L-cells could be potential candidate hosts for gene therapy because of their special features.

Results

In this study, we isolated gut K and L-cells to compare the potential of both cell types to produce insulin when exposed to similar conditions. The isolated pure K and L-cells were transfected with recombinant plasmids encoding insulin and with specific promoters for K or L-cells. Insulin expression was studied in response to glucose or meat hydrolysate. We found that glucose and meat hydrolysate efficiently induced insulin secretion from K and L-cells. However, the effects of meat hydrolysate on insulin secretion were more potent in both cells compared with glucose. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed that L-cells secreted more insulin compared with K-cells regardless of the stimulator, although this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The responses of K and L-cells to stimulation with glucose or meat hydrolysate were generally comparable. Therefore, both K and L-cells show similar potential to be used as surrogate cells for insulin gene expression in vitro. The potential use of these cells for diabetic gene therapy warrants further investigation.

Health disparities in endocrine disorders: biological, clinical, and nonclinical factors--an Endocrine Society scientific statement

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to provide a scholarly review of the published literature on biological, clinical, and nonclinical contributors to race/ethnic and sex disparities in endocrine disorders and to identify current gaps in knowledge as a focus for future research needs. PARTICIPANTS IN DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC STATEMENT: The Endocrine Society's Scientific Statement Task Force (SSTF) selected the leader of the statement development group (S.H.G.). She selected an eight-member writing group with expertise in endocrinology and health disparities, which was approved by the Society. All discussions regarding the scientific statement content occurred via teleconference or written correspondence. No funding was provided to any expert or peer reviewer, and all participants volunteered their time to prepare this Scientific Statement.

EVIDENCE

The primary sources of data on global disease prevalence are from the World Health Organization. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed identified U.S. population-based studies. Search strategies combining Medical Subject Headings terms and keyword terms and phrases defined two concepts: 1) racial, ethnic, and sex differences including specific populations; and 2) the specific endocrine disorder or condition. The search identified systematic reviews, meta-analyses, large cohort and population-based studies, and original studies focusing on the prevalence and determinants of disparities in endocrine disorders. consensus process: The writing group focused on population differences in the highly prevalent endocrine diseases of type 2 diabetes mellitus and related conditions (prediabetes and diabetic complications), gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome with a focus on obesity and dyslipidemia, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, and vitamin D deficiency. Authors reviewed and synthesized evidence in their areas of expertise. The final statement incorporated responses to several levels of review: 1) comments of the SSTF and the Advocacy and Public Outreach Core Committee; and 2) suggestions offered by the Council and members of The Endocrine Society.

CONCLUSIONS

Several themes emerged in the statement, including a need for basic science, population-based, translational and health services studies to explore underlying mechanisms contributing to endocrine health disparities. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks have worse outcomes and higher mortality from certain disorders despite having a lower (e.g. macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus and osteoporotic fractures) or similar (e.g. thyroid cancer) incidence of these disorders. Obesity is an important contributor to diabetes risk in minority populations and to sex disparities in thyroid cancer, suggesting that population interventions targeting weight loss may favorably impact a number of endocrine disorders. There are important implications regarding the definition of obesity in different race/ethnic groups, including potential underestimation of disease risk in Asian-Americans and overestimation in non-Hispanic black women. Ethnic-specific cut-points for central obesity should be determined so that clinicians can adequately assess metabolic risk. There is little evidence that genetic differences contribute significantly to race/ethnic disparities in the endocrine disorders examined. Multilevel interventions have reduced disparities in diabetes care, and these successes can be modeled to design similar interventions for other endocrine diseases.

Culturally tailoring patient education and communication skills training to empower African-Americans with diabetes

New translational strategies are needed to improve diabetes outcomes among low-income African-Americans. Our goal was to develop/pilot test a patient intervention combining culturally tailored diabetes education with shared decision-making training. This was an observational cohort study. Surveys and clinical data were collected at baseline, program completion, and 3 and 6 months. There were 21 participants; the mean age was 61 years. Eighty-six percent of participants attended >70 % of classes. There were improvements in diabetes self-efficacy, self-care behaviors (i.e., following a "healthful eating plan" (mean score at baseline 3.4 vs. 5.2 at program's end; p = 0.002), self glucose monitoring (mean score at baseline 4.3 vs. 6.2 at program's end; p = 0.04), and foot care (mean score at baseline 4.1 vs. 6.0 at program's end; p = 0.001)), hemoglobin A1c (8.24 at baseline vs. 7.33 at 3-month follow-up, p = 0.02), and HDL cholesterol (51.2 at baseline vs. 61.8 at 6-month follow-up, p = 0.01). Combining tailored education with shared decision-making may be a promising strategy for empowering low-income African-Americans and improving health outcomes.

Interventions to improve care related to colorectal cancer among racial and ethnic minorities: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature to identify interventions that improve minority health related to colorectal cancer care.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases, from 1950 to 2010.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS

Interventions in US populations eligible for colorectal cancer screening, and composed of ≥50 % racial/ethnic minorities (or that included a specific sub-analysis by race/ethnicity). All included studies were linked to an identifiable healthcare source. The three authors independently reviewed the abstracts of all the articles and a final list was determined by consensus. All papers were independently reviewed and quality scores were calculated and assigned using the Downs and Black checklist.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies were included in our final analysis. Patient education involving phone or in-person contact combined with navigation can lead to modest improvements, on the order of 15 percentage points, in colorectal cancer screening rates in minority populations. Provider-directed multi-modal interventions composed of education sessions and reminders, as well as pure educational interventions were found to be effective in raising colorectal cancer screening rates, also on the order of 10 to 15 percentage points. No relevant interventions focusing on post-screening follow up, treatment adherence and survivorship were identified.

LIMITATIONS

This review excluded any intervention studies that were not tied to an identifiable healthcare source. The minority populations in most studies reviewed were predominantly Hispanic and African American, limiting generalizability to other ethnic and minority populations.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Tailored patient education combined with patient navigation services, and physician training in communicating with patients of low health literacy, can modestly improve adherence to CRC screening. The onus is now on researchers to continue to evaluate and refine these interventions and begin to expand them to the entire colon cancer care continuum.