Diabetes in Hispanic American Youth Prevalence, incidence, demographics, and clinical characteristics: the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

OBJECTIVE - To report the 2001 prevalence and 2002-2005 incidence of type I and type 2 diabetes in Hispanic American youth and to describe the demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of these Youth. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Data from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study,a population-based multicenter observational study of youth aged 0-19 years with physician-diagnosed diabetes, were used to estimate the prevalence and incidence of type I and type 2 diabetes. Information obtained by questionnaire, physical examination, and blood and urine collection was analyzed to describe the characteristics of youth who completed a Study visit. RESULTS - Among Hispanic American youth, type 1. diabetes was more prevalent than type 2 diabetes, including in youth aged 10-19 years. There were no significant sex differences in type I or type 2 diabetes prevalence. The incidence of type 2 diabetes for female subjects aged 10-14 years was twice that of male subjects (P < 0.005), while among youth aged 15-19 years the incidence of type 2 diabetes exceeded that of type I diabetes for female subjects (P < 0,05) but not for male subjects. Poor glycemic control, defined as A1C >= 9.5%, as well as high LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were common among youth aged >= 15 years with either type of diabetes. Forty-four percent of youth With type I diabetes were overweight or obese. CONCLUSIONS - Factors such as poor glycemic control, elevated lipids, and a high prevalence of overweight and obesity may put Hispanic youth with type I and type 2 diabetes at risk for future diabetes-related complications. Diabetes Care 32 (Suppl. 2):S123-S132, 2009