Unique physiology key to diagnosing and treating diabetes in Asian populations
Per treatments for diabetes, the authors cited the need for more studies: “The unique features of diabetes pathophysiology within this very heterogeneous population may indicate a need for different treatment guidelines.” Insulin dosing, oral medications and lifestyle factors such as exercise and nutrition should be enfolded into a diabetes care program tailored to individuals, families and cultural practices.
The team of experts at Joslin’s Asian Diabetes Initiative has found that educational materials are most effective when published in both the Asian language and English, allowing younger and older generations to communicate fluidly. Joslin also has developed multilingual websites.
CAUSES OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
We are only now beginning to understand what causes type 2 diabetes. It is probably caused by a complex interaction of predisposing genetic factors and environmental influences.
Genetic causes: Many people with type 2 diabetes have a family member with either type 2 diabetes or medical problems associated with diabetes, such as High cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, or obesity.
The lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes is five to ten times higher in first-degree relatives (sister, brother, son, daughter) of a person with diabetes compared to a person with no family history of diabetes.
Certain ethnic groups are at much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These include people of Hispanic, African, and Asian descent.
Environmental conditions: Environmental factors such as what you eat, how much weight you gain, and how active you are have a strong influence on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Pregnancy: About 3 to 5 percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, but generally resolves after a woman delivers her baby. Women who have gestational diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Community-based education programs, which also have proved to be highly effective, need to be expanded. And in national data collection, it is important to include Asian groups as subsets of the general population, with culturally appropriate methods incorporated into the design of surveys.
“While there is much to be gained from ethnically sensitive care, these considerations are only a starting point,” Dr. Hsu said. “Ultimately, all diabetes care needs to be tailored to the individual. That’s the direction that medicine is going, and all populations will benefit.”
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About Joslin Diabetes Center
Joslin Diabetes Center, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the world’s largest diabetes research and clinical care organization. Joslin is dedicated to ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives and offers real hope and progress toward diabetes prevention and a cure. Joslin is an independent, nonprofit institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
Our mission is to prevent, treat and cure diabetes. Our vision is a world free of diabetes and its complications.
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Jeffrey Bright
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617-309-1957
Joslin Diabetes Center