Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness in the United States. With rise of the epidemic of obesity and diabetes in the USA and around the globe, serious and common diabetic complications are evolving as a major public health problem, particularly among minority populations. These populations are disproportionately affected by diabetes and 2-3 times more likely to develop visually significant complications. In this highly illustrated review article, we discuss the diabetic epidemic, highlighting the biology and the pathophysiologic mechanisms of this disorder on the anatomy of the eye. We also discuss the risk factors and the implications for minority populations. For the health care providers, we provide cutting edge information and imminently relevant information to help evaluate, manage, and know when to refer their patients to a specialist in ophthalmology to quell the tide of the epidemic.
Introduction: Less hygienic use of blood glucose monitoring equipment such as blood glucose meters, lancets, finger stick devices or other diabetes-care equipment such as syringes or insulin pens by self-administration often exposes the diabetic patient to Hepatitis B infection. This study evaluates hepatitis B vaccination among individuals with diabetes.
Methods: The study used data from the 2000-2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Vaccination rates among adult individuals with diabetes of various ethnic backgrounds was accessed and compared using chis-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to compare factors affecting hepatitis B vaccination among individuals with diabetes.
Results: The crude rate of diabetes in this population was 5.4%. The rate of vaccination among individuals with diabetes differed across racial groups (Asians 31.8% vs. blacks 30.7%; and whites 26.5%; p<0.01). After multivariate regression, the leading factors affecting hepatitis B vaccination included Age (40-60 years) (OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.47-0.57, p<0.01), lack of college education (OR=0.71,95% CI=0.64-0.79, p<0.01), foreign birth (OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.72-0.95, p<0.01), and Hispanic ethnicity (OR=0.88, 95% CI=0.78-1.00, P<0.05).
Conclusion: Social and economic factors-education, insurance status, age, poverty level, and place of birth affect rates of vaccination among individuals with diabetes.