Comparison of diabetes control among Haitians, African Americans, and non-Hispanic whites in an urban safety-net hospital

Abstract

OBJECTIVE - To compare diabetes care and outcomes among Haitians, African Americans, and non-Hispanic whites. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - We analyzed data from 715 Haitian, 1,472 African American, and 466 non-Hispanic white adults with diabetes using χ2 testing and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS - Haitians had a higher mean A1C than African Americans (8.2 ± 1.9 vs. 7.7 ± 2.0%) and non-Hispanic whites (7.5 ± 1.7%) (both P < 0.0001). There was no difference in completion of process measures. Haitians were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to have elevated LDL cholesterol or blood pressure. Macrovascular complications were fewer among Haitians than African Americans (adjusted odds ratio 0.35 [95% CI 0.23- 0.55]), as were microvascular complications (0.56 [0.41-0.76]). Haitians also had fewer macrovascular (0.32 [0.20-0.50]) and microvascular (0.55 [0.39-0.79]) complications than non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSIONS - Haitians have worse glycemic control than African Americans or non-Hispanic whites. Future research and interventions to improve diabetes care should target Haitians as a distinct racial/ethnic group. © 2011 by the American Diabetes Association.