RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of diabetes, obesity and non-optimum blood pressure levels in a group of employees of the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus that participated in a diabetes health fair at the [quot ]Centro de Diabetes para Puerto Rico[quot ]. METHODS: A total of 113 participants of the diabetes health fair completed a questionnaire to obtain demographic characteristics and the frequency of self-reported diabetes. The nursing staff examined the participants in order to obtain the following clinical characteristics: body mass index, blood pressure and blood glucose levels. RESULTS: The proportion of self-reported diabetes, obesity (> or = 30 kg/m2) and non-optimum blood pressure levels (systolic > or = 20 mm/Hg or diastolic > or = 80 mm/Hg) were 15.4(95CI: 8.5- 25.7), 80.0(95CI: 70.8-86.9) and 70.5(95CI: 61.1-78.6), respectively. Although it was not statistically significant, diabetes was higher among females (15.4) compared to males (12.0). All participants with self-reported diabetes were overweight or obese, and 91.7showed non-optimum blood pressure levels. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between blood pressure levels and body mass index (r = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of persons with diabetes, obesity, and non-optimum blood pressure levels in this sample of Medical Sciences Campus employees underscores the need for confirming these results in a larger study and developing strategies focused on reducing health risks in this population.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologia , Hipertensão/epidemiologia , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Determinação da Pressão Arterial , Exposições Educativas , Prevalência , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , UniversidadesRESUMO
AIMS: To describe the clinical characteristics, and estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Puerto Rican youth, 1995-2003. METHODS: All patients aged less than 20 years with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were identified from pediatric endocrinologists' medical practices. Medical records of each patient were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis, classify the type of diabetes, and gather sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. From 1995 to 2003 a total of 32,444 records were reviewed. A total of 2,800 children with diabetes were identified, of which 2,702 were type 1 and 93 type 2; typel/type 2 ratio was 29:1. Frequency distributions were obtained for categorical variables, and summary measures (mean +/- standard deviation) for quantitative measure were computed. RESULTS: Mean age at first visit was 14 years. The majority of cases were females (69), for a female/ male ratio of 2.2:1. 78.5had a family history of the disease, 74.2were overweight, and 48had acanthosis nigricans. 64.5of the cases were receiving some type of hypoglycemic therapy. 18.5of the cases had severe hypertension while 17.5had cholesterol levels considered at increased risk (e[quot ]200). The overall prevalence was 13.5 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first that describes the frequency and clinical presentation of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents in a sample of Puerto Ricans. Further investigations must be conducted to obtain a more precise estimate of the burden of type 2 diabetes in youth and to raise awareness of this condition among health care professionals.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , /epidemiologia , Distribuição por Idade , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Distribuição por SexoRESUMO
The review of several diabetes epidemiological studies confirms that diabetes is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases globally, and it is the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in most developed countries. Diabetes prevalence ranges from nearly 0% in New Guinea to 50% in the Indians of Arizona. No modifiable risk factors have been clearly established in persons with type 1 diabetes, but major environmental determinants have been suggested. Impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity and lack of physical activity have been consistently identified as risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes increases with age, but a sex-specific tendency has not been consistent. In addition, the prevalence of diabetes is higher in African-Americans and Hispanics when compared to other ethnic groups. Diabetes affects almost all organs of the body and is the leading cause of blindness and amputations of legs, imposing both clinical and economic costs to patients and society.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologia , Saúde Pública , Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença , Custos e Análise de Custo , Complicações do Diabetes , Diabetes Mellitus/economia , Diabetes Mellitus/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Prevalência , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in persons covered by a health insurance company. METHODS: The medical claims of persons insured with Triple S Health Insurance Co. of Puerto Rico, whose main diagnosis was diabetes (ICD9-250.0-9), were selected for analysis. Prevalence and medical utilization rates were estimated. General characteristics and services utilization were compared by age and sex using the chi-square distribution. RESULTS: Overall prevalence was 4.73%. Prevalence in the male population (5.07%) was higher than that of females (4.43%) in all age groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The proportion of diabetic cases was larger in the > 60 age group. 64% of the cases had 1 or more visits to a physician office, 2% were hospitalized, and almost 3% had emergency room visits. 29% of the cases had insulin prescriptions while 59% had oral prescriptions. The younger age group (< or = 44 years) had a larger utilization rate of emergency room and hospital admissions. Health service utilization varied by age and sex, however, the only significant difference was observed in glucose test services utilization (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes in this group was lower than the prevalence reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This may be partially explained by the fact that the study group did not represent the composition of the Puerto Rican population. Prevalence studies using other groups will be helpful to determine the prevalence of diabetes in Puerto Rico.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologia , Seguro Saúde , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Porto RicoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence and health services utilization patterns of diabetes mellitus in a group of insured under the Puerto Rico Health Reform Act and the private sector of the same insurance company. METHODS: The medical claims of the public sector insured whose main diagnosis was diabetes mellitus (ICD9-250.0-9) were selected for analysis. Prevalence and medical utilization rates were estimated. General characteristics and services utilization were compared by age and sex using the chi-square distribution. RESULTS: A total of 38,139 diabetic cases were identified during the study period. Overall prevalence was 6.23% (95% CI: 6.17%-6.29%); 5.22% among males (95% CI: 5.14-5.30) and 7.09% among females (95% CI: 7.00%-7.18%). The proportion of cases was larger in persons aged 65 years or more (60.3%) and females (61.6%). Overall, 84.7% of insured diabetics had medical office visits, while 7.8% had emergency room services and 1.3% had hospital admissions. Female cases had more physician office visits (62%) and insulin prescriptions (65%) compared to males (p < 0.05). The most reported complication was cerebrovascular accident (4.4%). The prevalence of diabetes was higher in the public sector (6.23%) when compared to the private sector (4.73%) (p < 0.01). The mean number of oral hypoglycemic (32.77 +/- 0.40) and insulin (40.99 +/- 0.54) prescriptions were higher in the public sector (p < 0.01). Emergency room utilization rate was larger among males in the younger age groups of the private sector. However, hospital admissions were larger in both sexes of the younger age group of the public sector when compared with the private sector. CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence of diabetes and mean service utilization was observed in the public sector. An in-depth analysis of the health care of patients with diabetes in the public sector is needed.