Abstract
Purpose: African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes and the associated complications of metabolic syndrome compared to Caucasians. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States thus contributing to over 300,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. Thirteen percent of those diagnosed are African Americans. Factors associated with optimally managing diabetes include periodic measures of Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), Hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) and Body Mass Index (BMI). We hypothesize that a Diabetes/ Metabolic Disease Registry is an effective way to assess the management of diabetes and will assist in controlling and ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in underserved communities.
Methods: A diabetes metabolic disease registry was created based on best-practice clinical parameters. Demographic factors, co-morbidities and overall health maintenance were assessed. The instrument was evaluated using 52 de-identified patients' information from local Atlanta hospitals. The registry consisted of a comprehensive questionnaire with content pertinent to the diagnosis and management of diabetes such as BMI, HgbA1c and FBG. After inputting data, Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) was used for analysis. Lastly we evaluated the data input devices (smartphone versus computer) for ease and efficiency.
Results: In this study, the mean age of the patients was 59 years of age. Eighty-eight percent were female. Over 60% of the patients were classified as obese or morbidly obese. Greater than 70% had persistently elevated levels of HgbA1C and over 65% had mildly or significantly elevated levels of FBG. Cholesterol and LDL levels were normal for about 80% of patients which indicates that those factors are not pertinent to managing diabetes.
Conclusion: A Metabolic Disease Registry is an effective way to analyze diabetes management in underserved communities. Data was accurately entered at the exact same rate for both devices suggesting that both means of data entry (computers and smartphones) are equally as efficient. The elevated levels of HgbA1c and FGB in the majority of patients indicate that the serum glucose was not being controlled effectively, in spite of the fact that the majority of patients were under long-term care of a physician and had well defined care plans. We hope that this study will assist in controlling diabetes and lower the rates among those in underserved areas.
Citation Format: Tania Anderson, Alexis Maynor, Derrick beech, Ernest Alema-Mensah. The efficacy of a diabetic registry to improve survival rates in under-resourced environments. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A01.
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