Maria Rosario G. Araneta

A1C and Diabetes Diagnosis: The Rancho Bernardo Study

OBJECTIVE To examine the sensitivity and specificity of A1C as a diagnostic test for type 2 diabetes in older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Cross-sectional study of community-dwelling adults without known diabetes who had an oral glucose tolerance test and A1C measured on the same day. RESULTS Mean age of the 2,107 participants was 69.4 ± 11.1 years; 43% were men. Based on the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, 198 had previously undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. The sensitivity/specificity of A1C cut point of 6.5% was 44/79%. Results were similar in age- and sex-stratified analyses. Given the A1C cut point of 6.5%, 85% of participants were classified as nondiabetic by ADA criteria. CONCLUSIONS The limited sensitivity of the A1C test may result in delayed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, while the strict use of ADA criteria may fail to identify a high proportion of individuals with diabetes by A1C ≥6.5% or retinopathy.

BMI Cut Points to Identify At-Risk Asian Americans for Type 2 Diabetes Screening

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an Asian is a person with origins from the Far East (China, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia), Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos, etc.), or the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal); each region has several ethnicities, each with a unique culture, language, and history. In 2011, 18.2 million U.S. residents self-identified as Asian American, with more than two-thirds foreign-born (1). In 2012, Asian Americans were the nation’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic group, with a growth rate over four times that of the total U.S. population. International migration has contributed >60% of the growth rate in this population (1). Among Asian Americans, the Chinese population was the largest (4.0 million), followed by Filipinos (3.4 million), Asian Indians (3.2 million), Vietnamese (1.9 million), Koreans (1.7 million), and Japanese (1.3 million). Nearly three-fourths of all Asian Americans live in 10 states—California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, Washington, Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania (1). By 2060, the Asian American population is projected to more than double to 34.4 million, with its share of the U.S. population climbing from 5.1 to 8.2% in the same period (2). Although it is clear that increased body weight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the relationship between body weight and type 2 diabetes is more properly attributable to the quantity and distribution of body fat (3–5). Abdominal circumference and waist and hip measurements, although highly correlated with cardiometabolic risk (6,7), do not differentiate subcutaneous from visceral adipose abdominal depots and are subject to interobserver variability. Imaging and other approaches can be used to more accurately assess fat distribution and quantify adiposity (4,8), but they are not readily available, economical, or useable on …

Serum vitamin D, parathyroid hormone levels, and carotid atherosclerosis

Evidence suggests low vitamin D and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations may increase risk for cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the association between vitamin D or PTH and subclinical atherosclerosis. This cross-sectional study included 654 community-dwelling older adults aged 55-96 years (mean age, 75.5 years) without a history of coronary heart disease, revascularization, or stroke enrolled in the Rancho Bernardo Study who completed a clinic examination in 1997-1999 and provided a blood sample for determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D], and PTH concentrations. Carotid artery intima-media wall thickness (IMT) was measured as an indicator of atherosclerosis at two sites with B-mode ultrasound. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol intake, waist-to-hip ratio, exercise, season of blood draw, diabetes, and hypertension, geometric mean internal carotid IMT (p(trend) 0.022), but not common carotid IMT (p(trend) 0.834) decreased in a dose-dependent fashion with increasing concentration of 25(OH)D. There was no association of 1,25(OH)(2)D or PTH with either measure of carotid IMT. In subgroup analyses, 1,25(OH)(2)D was inversely associated with internal carotid IMT among those with hypertension (p for interaction 0.036). These findings from a population-based cohort of older adults suggest a potential role for vitamin D in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis. Additional research is needed to determine whether vitamin D may influence the progression of atherosclerosis, including the effects of supplementation on the atherosclerotic process.

Call to Action: Cardiovascular Disease in Asian Americans A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

In 2009, President Obama signed an Executive Order calling for strategies to improve the health of Asian Americans and to seek data on the health disparities in Asian American subgroups.1 Data on Asian American subgroups are scarce and many health disparities remain unknown. The purpose of this Advisory is to highlight the gaps in existing research on cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Asian Americans, and to serve as a call to action on behalf of the American Heart Association to address these areas of need. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, representing 25% of all foreign-born people in the United States.2 They are projected to reach nearly 34 million by 2050.3 Several major Federal surveys (eg, the American Community Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey) only recently started to classify Asian Americans into 7 subgroups: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Other Asian. The first six of these subgroups together constitute >90% of Asian Americans in the United States.4 Although some data are available on Asian subgroups from these major federal surveys, in general, these data are not available for public use because of the privacy concerns resulting from the small sample sizes within subgroups. This situation limits their utility for health-related research. Because health surveys and questionnaires almost universally combine persons of Asian ancestry into a single group, the heterogeneity within this classification is masked. Socioeconomic and cultural factors have been found to be associated with CVD and its risk factors, which is why it is important to understand these differences among Asian subgroups. The Table shows the number of persons in each group based on the most recent US Census data available (American Community Survey, 2008), with the recognition that …

Decrease in Hospitalization and Mortality Rates among Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV Type 1 Infection Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression in perinatally infected children is not well documented. This study aims to identify the effect of evolving antiretroviral therapy on the immunologic and virologic status of and hospitalization and mortality rates among perinatally infected children. METHODS Children receiving outpatient care during 1994-2001 at 3 HIV clinics in southern California were observed longitudinally for CD4+ cell percentage, plasma HIV-1 RNA load, antiretroviral treatment, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis, and rate of hospital admissions. RESULTS A total of 129 children were observed during the study period; 51% were girls, and 40.3% were Hispanic, 29.5% were African American, and 27.1% were white. The mean CD4+ cell percentage increased from 22.5% in 1994 to 31.2% in 2001 (P<.01), and the mean plasma HIV-1 RNA load decreased from 4.53 log10 copies/mL in 1996 to 3.27 log10 copies/mL in 2001 (P<.001). The use of HAART increased from 0% in 1994 to 93% in 2001 (P<.01), whereas the use of PCP prophylaxis decreased from 55% to 16% during this time (P<.001). The hospitalization rate decreased from 6.49 to 0.60 admissions per 100 person-years during 1994-2001 (P<.001). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated hospital admission rates decreased from 15.6% in 1994 to 0% in 2001 (P<.0001). Similarly, the admission rate for patients with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention category B decreased from 29.7% in 1994 to 5.9% in 2001 (P<.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that CD4+ cell percentage and viral load were independently associated with risk of hospitalization. Survival was significantly longer for those who received HAART. CONCLUSIONS HIV-1-associated mortality and hospitalization rates decreased significantly between 1994 and 2001 in perinatally infected children. This correlated with an increase in CD4+ cell percentage and a decrease in HIV-1 RNA load concurrently with the expanded use of HAART.

Comparison of Overall Obesity and Body Fat Distribution in Predicting Risk of Mortality

Results of studies comparing overall obesity and abdominal adiposity or body fat distribution with risk of mortality have varied considerably. We compared the relative importance and joint association of overall obesity and body fat distribution in predicting risk of mortality. Participants included 5,799 men and 6,429 women aged 30–102 years enrolled in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who completed a baseline health examination during 1988–1994. During a 12‐year follow‐up (102,172 person‐years), 1,188 men and 925 women died. In multivariable‐adjusted analyses, waist‐to‐thigh ratio (WTR) in both sexes (Ptrend <0.01 for both) and waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) in women (Ptrend 0.001) were positively associated with mortality in middle‐aged adults (30–64 years), while BMI and waist circumference (WC) exhibited U‐ or J‐shaped associations. Risk of mortality increased with a higher WHR and WTR among normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2) adults. In older adults (65–102 years), a higher BMI in both sexes (Ptrend <0.05) and WC in men (Ptrend 0.001) were associated with increased survival, while remaining measures of body fat distribution exhibited either no association or an inverse relation with mortality. In conclusion, ratio measures of body fat distribution are strongly and positively associated with mortality and offer additional prognostic information beyond BMI and WC in middle‐aged adults. A higher BMI in both sexes and WC in men were associated with increased survival in older adults, while a higher WHR or WTR either decreased or did not influence risk of death.

Unprotected anal intercourse and substance use among men who have sex with men with recent HIV infection.

Objectives:To examine within-subjects and combined between- and within-subjects associations between substance use and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) with recent HIV infection. Methods:One hundred ninety-four MSM who were recently infected with HIV completed a computer-assisted questionnaire regarding sexual behaviors and substance use with their last 3 partners. Associations between UAI and substance use were assessed using conditional logistic regression (CLR) to assess associations among the 116 MSM reporting UAI with some but not all partners and generalized linear mixed effects models (GLMMs) to examine a combination of within- and between-subjects associations in the entire sample (N = 194). Results:In multivariate CLR models and GLMMs, UAI was associated with the use of methamphetamine (odds ratio [OR] = 4.9 and OR = 3.5, respectively), marijuana (OR = 4.0 and OR = 2.2, respectively) and erectile dysfunction medications (EDMs) when used with a main partner (OR = 13.8 and OR = 10.1, respectively). Conclusions:Results indicate that a direct association may exist between specific substances and UAI and provide evidence that the use of methamphetamine and EDMs may contribute to HIV transmission.

Overall Obesity and Abdominal Adiposity as Predictors of Mortality in U.S. White and Black Adults

PURPOSE The association of overall obesity and abdominal adiposity in predicting risk of all-cause mortality in white and black adults was compared. METHODS This prospective study included a national sample of 3219 non-Hispanic white and 2,561 non-Hispanic black adults 30 to 64 years of age enrolled in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 1988-1994. Multiple measures of adiposity were measured and calculated, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-thigh ratio (WTR). Vital status was ascertained with the National Death Index through 2000. RESULTS During 12 years of follow-up (51,133 person-years), 188 white and 222 black adults died. After adjustment for age, education, smoking, and existing disease, positive dose-response associations between WTR and mortality in both sexes and races, and WHR in white and black women were observed (p(trend) < 0.05 for all). These results were unchanged after additional adjustment for BMI. In contrast, BMI and waist circumference alone exhibited curvilinear-shaped associations with mortality. A higher WTR was associated with a higher risk of mortality among normal weight (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)) and obese (BMI: > or =30.0 kg/m(2)) white and black adults. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest ratio measures of abdominal adiposity, particularly WTR in both sexes and WHR in women, strongly and positively predict mortality, independent of BMI, among white and black adults. Furthermore, WTR offers additional prognostic information beyond that provided by BMI alone.

Goldenhar syndrome among infants born in military hospitals to Gulf War veterans

Reports in the popular press described the occurrence of Goldenhar syndrome among children of Persian Gulf War veterans (GWVs). The objective of this investigation was to compare the birth prevalence of Goldenhar syndrome among infants born in military hospitals to GWVs and to military personnel who were not deployed to the Gulf War (NDVs). Computerized hospital discharge data were reviewed for infants conceived after the war and born prior to the 1st of October, 1993, in medical treatment facilities (MTFs) operated by the U.S. Department of Defense. Medical records were evaluated for infants diagnosed at birth with at least one abnormality that might be related to Goldenhar syndrome. Two pediatricians, blinded to the parental Gulf War status of each infant, reviewed records. An estimated 75,414 infants were conceived after the Gulf War and born in MTFs during the study period (34,069 GWV infants and 41,345 NDV infants). Seven infants fulfilled the case criteria (five GWV infants and two NDV infants). All infants had fathers who served in the military at the time of their conception and birth. The birth prevalence was 14.7 per 100,000 live births among GWV infants (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.4-36.4) and 4.8 per 100,000 live births (95% CI: 0.8-19.5) among NDV infants (relative risk: 3.03; 95% CI: 0.63-20.57; P values: [2-tailed] = 0.26, [1-tailed] = 0.16). The few affected cases and the broad confidence intervals surrounding the relative risk require that these results be interpreted with caution and do not exclude chance as an explanation for these findings.

An outbreak of cholera from food served on an international aircraft.

In February 1992, an outbreak of cholera occurred among persons who had flown on a commercial airline flight from South America to Los Angeles. This study was conducted to determine the magnitude and the cause of the outbreak. Passengers were interviewed and laboratory specimens were collected to determine the magnitude of the outbreak. A case-control study was performed to determine the vehicle of infection. Seventy-five of the 336 passengers in the United States had cholera; 10 were hospitalized and one died. Cold seafood salad, served between Lima, Peru and Los Angeles, California was the vehicle of infection (odds ratio, 11.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-44.5). This was the largest airline-associated outbreak of cholera ever reported and demonstrates the potential for airline-associated spread of cholera from epidemic areas to other parts of the world. Physicians should obtain a travel history and consider cholera in patients with diarrhoea who have travelled from cholera-affected countries. This outbreak also highlights the risks associated with eating cold foods prepared in cholera-affected countries.