Impact and characteristics of the non-Caucasian population in hospital admissions for diabetes onset during 2003–2010

Aims

To assess the prevalence of non-Caucasian patients in hospital admissions for onset of symptomatic diabetes mellitus during the 2003–2010 period, and to analyze the characteristics differentiating them from the Caucasian population at diagnosis and 2 years later.

Material and methods

A retrospective, observational study. Inclusion criteria: patients aged 18–40 years admitted for de novo symptomatic diabetes from January 2003 to October 2010. Prevalence of patients of non-Caucasian origin was analyzed, and clinical, biochemical, immunological, and beta-cell function of both populations were compared at diagnosis and 2 years later.

Results

Nineteen percent of patients admitted to hospital for de novo symptomatic diabetes were non-Caucasian, with a progressive increase in recent years. Non-Caucasian patients had milder decompensation (3.0% had ketoacidosis, as compared to 15.2% in the Caucasian group, p < 0.05), lower presence of autoimmunity (27.2 vs. 73.1%, p < 0.01) and higher stimulated C-peptide levels (0.70 ± 0.56 vs. 0.42 ± 0.39 nmol/L, p < 0.05), mainly because of the subgroup with negative autoimmunity (0.82 vs. 0.25). Two years after diagnosis, less non-Caucasian patients were on intensified treatment (39.1 vs. 93.8%).

Conclusions

Non-Caucasian patients had a lower prevalence of autoimmunity, better beta-cell function at diagnosis, particularly due to the subgroup with negative autoimmunity, and less need for intensive treatment 2 years after diagnosis, features which are more characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus.