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Biomedical subjects

B E Klein

Publications and source records attributed to B E Klein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Risk of incident age-related eye diseases in people with an affected sibling : The Beaver Dam Eye Study.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether age-related cataract and maculopathy in older siblings predicts development of the same in younger siblings. A population-based study of age-related eye diseases was conducted in 1988--1990 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and a follow-up examination was performed 5 years later. Diagnoses of age-related eye diseases were assigned on the basis of gradings of study photographs. There were 1,088 people from 488 sibships with at least two siblings who could contribute information for these analyses. The authors computed odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for developing the specific lesion and identifying it 5 years later if an older sibling had it at baseline. The odds ratios were 1.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91, 2.99) for nuclear cataract, 1.62 (95% CI: 0.92, 2.85) for cortical cataract, 1.95 (95% CI: 0.48, 7.95) for posterior subcapsular cataract, 1.82 (95% CI: 0.91, 3.66) for soft drusen, 8.18 (95% CI: 3.34, 20.08) for retinal pigment epithelium depigmentation, 3.59 (95% CI: 1.71, 7.57) for increased retinal pigment, and 10.32 (95% CI: 0.83, 128.58) for exudative age-related maculopathy. These findings suggest that strong family determinants of lesions of age-related maculopathy are likely, less so for age-related cataract, which confer risk of the same lesion in a younger sibling.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Aggregation of refractive error and 5-year changes in refractive error among families in the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine aggregation of refraction, myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, as well as the 5-year change in each of these measures, among adult family members. DESIGN: Geographically defined, population-based cohort study in Beaver Dam, Wis. Participants were all 43 to 84 years of age in 1988. Family relationships among participants of the study were identified through interviews. The main outcome measures were noncycloplegic refractions. Aggregation was assessed by Pearson correlations and odds ratios (ORs) that both members of a pair were affected. RESULTS: Age-adjusted sibling correlation of refraction was 0.37 and the OR for a sibling to be myopic was 4.18, whereas the OR for being hyperopic was 2.87 (all statistically significant, P<.05). Correlations and ORs for parent-child and cousin relationships were smaller, and those for spousal relationships were not significant. Correlations and ORs for cylinder power and astigmatism were not statistically significant for most relationships considered. There were no statistically significant correlations or ORs for changes in any measure of refractive error. CONCLUSIONS: The strong aggregation of refractive error, including myopia and hyperopia, among siblings along with weaker associations among parent-child and cousin pairs and no associations among spouses suggest a potential genetic influence on refractive error. There is no such suggestion for a genetic influence on the changes in refraction or in cylinder power and astigmatism.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Relationship of dietary fat to age-related maculopathy in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations between dietary fat and age-related maculopathy (ARM) in persons 40 years or older who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS: We used a single, nonmydriatic, fundus photograph of 1 eye to ascertain ARM status in 7883 of 11 448 survey participants. Intake of fat was estimated from 24-hour recall, and specific sources of dietary fat were estimated from responses to food frequency questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) that accounted for complex survey design, nonresponse, and potential risk factors for ARM (age, smoking, race, sex, body mass index, history of cardiovascular disease or hypertension, eye color, and sedentary lifestyle). Persons aged 40 to 79 years (n = 7405) were included in analyses for early ARM (n = 644); those 60 years or older (n = 4294) were included in analyses for late ARM (n = 53). RESULTS: After adjustment for age, race, eye color, and sedentary lifestyle, OR for early ARM was 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.2; P for trend,.10) among persons in high vs low quintiles of total fat intake (percentage of total energy). Associations for specific types of fatty acids (as percentages of caloric intake) were in the same direction and unrelated to ARM. The OR for late ARM was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.2-2.6; P for trend,.60) in persons 60 years or older. Further adjustments for other potential confounders did not significantly affect the ORs. CONCLUSION: Age-related maculopathy was not significantly associated with dietary fat in this large cross-sectional survey.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

How many steps of progression of diabetic retinopathy are meaningful? The Wisconsin epidemiologic study of diabetic retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a 1-step or more or 2-step or more progression on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study retinopathy severity scale over a 4-year period is meaningful in predicting the subsequent incidence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and clinically significant macular edema (CSME) over the following 6 years. DESIGN: Population-based study of diabetic persons with 10 years of follow-up. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Eleven-county area in southern Wisconsin. There were 1025 persons with diabetes who had fundus photographs at baseline and at 4- and 10-year follow-up examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of PDR or CSME between the 4- and 10-year follow-up examinations as determined by masked grading of color stereoscopic fundus photographs of 7 standard fields. RESULTS: In a univariate analysis, those with 1 or more steps of progression (n = 551) over the first 4 years of the study were significantly (P<.0001) more likely to develop PDR over the next 6 years than those with no progression (n = 474) (26% vs 4%) (relative risk, 5.85; 95% confidence interval, 4.05-8.47). Similarly, those with 2 or more (n = 364) (33%) or 3 or more (n = 231) (41%) steps of progression over the first 4 years of the study were significantly (P<.0001) more likely to develop PDR over the next 6 years than those with lesser progression (n = 661 [7%] and n = 794 [9%], respectively) (relative risk, 5.10; 95% confidence interval, 3.83-6.80; and relative risk, 4.61; 95% confidence interval, 3.57-5.99, respectively). Similar associations were apparent at every level of retinopathy, duration of diabetes, and glycosylated hemoglobin, and by type of diabetes at baseline. There were also associations between retinopathy progression and incidence of CSME. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that 1 or more or 2 or more steps of progression of retinopathy over a 4-year period strongly predict the development of PDR over the next 6 years. Therefore, using these end points of progression would result in the need for fewer subjects or shorter follow-up in some clinical trials.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The NEI-VFQ-25 in people with long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus: the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) overall and specific scale scores with visual acuity, diabetic retinopathy, and other characteristics, in a cohort of persons with type 1 diabetes. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: An 11-county area in southern Wisconsin. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred two persons with diabetes whose conditions were diagnosed when they were younger than 30 years and who were currently taking insulin participated in baseline, 4-year, 10-year, and 14-year follow-up examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An interview that consisted of the 25-item NEI-VFQ was completed. Visual acuity was measured by the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) protocol and the presence and severity of retinopathy and macular edema were detected by masked grading of stereoscopic color fundus photographs using the modified Airlie House classification and the ETDRS retinopathy severity scheme. RESULTS: Univariate analyses revealed that the total NEI-VFQ-25 score was lower in persons who were older, had a longer duration of diabetes, higher glycosylated hemoglobin, were in renal failure, had a history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or amputation of a lower limb, had poorer visual acuity, more severe diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, glaucoma, cataract, abnormalities in tactile sensation or temperature sensitivity, smoked more total pack-years, led a more sedentary lifestyle, and had poor peak expiratory flow. In multivariate analyses, while controlling for the physical and mental component scores from the Medical Outcomes Survey 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey as measures of comorbidity, lower total NEI-VFQ-25 scores were independently associated with poorer visual acuity, more severe retinopathy, older age, history of loss of tactile sensation, and more total pack-years of cigarettes smoked. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study, the 25-item NEI-VFQ seems to be strongly associated with vision, independent of severity of retinopathy and other complications associated with type 1 diabetes. It may be a useful measure of health-related quality of life as it relates to vision in epidemiological studies and clinical trials in persons with diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Medication use and the 5-year incidence of early age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate incident early age-related maculopathy (ARM) after a 5-year interval with respect to medication use. DESIGN: Population-based incidence study. SETTING: Participants were adults aged 43 to 86 years living in Beaver Dam, Wis, when first examined in 1988-1990 (n = 4926); they were reexamined in 1993-1995 (n = 3684). METHODS: All participants were examined and interviewed and stereoscopic color fundus photographs were taken. All procedures were done by standard protocol at both examinations. Incidence of ARM was based on grading using the Wisconsin ARM Grading System. All prescribed and over-the-counter medications in current use were brought to the examination site and the names were recorded at that time. RESULTS: There were 678 drug preparations (active ingredients) being used at the baseline examination. No relations were found between most antihypertensive drugs, most central nervous system medications, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, estrogens, lipid-lowering agents, and incident early ARM over the 5-year period. Age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression analyses suggested possible associations (P<.10) between the use of phenothiazine antidopaminergics (odds ratio [OR], 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-8.23; P =.06), desiccated thyroid hormones (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 0.89-6.07; P =.09), and calcium channel blockers (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.93-3.12; P =.08) with incident ARM. When additional information on past use was included in the regression model, the association remained for calcium channel blockers, but not for phenothiazines and desiccated thyroid hormones. A lower incidence of early ARM occurred in those who took antidepressants (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.94; P =.04) at the baseline examination. CONCLUSION: Although many different medications were being used at the baseline examination in the Beaver Dam Eye Study cohort, there were no striking associations with the 5-year incidence of early ARM.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The relation of socioeconomic factors to the incidence of early age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam eye study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic factors and the 5-year incidence of age-related maculopathy. METHODS: The Beaver Dam Eye Study, a population-based cohort study, examined 3681 adults (range, 43-86 years of age at baseline) living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, at baseline and 5 years later. Standardized protocols for physical examination, including administration of a questionnaire that included questions regarding income, education level, and status and type of employment, and fundus photography to determine age-related maculopathy, were performed. RESULTS: While controlling for age and sex, less education, and being in a service-related occupation compared with a white collar professional occupation, was associated (P <.05) with the incidence of early age-related maculopathy. CONCLUSION: These data show an association of education and occupation but not income with the incidence of early age-related maculopathy that appears independent of smoking or vitamin supplement use status.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The relation of coffee and caffeine to the 5-year incidence of early age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between coffee and caffeine consumption and the 5-year incidence of early age-related maculopathy and its component lesions, soft indistinct drusen or pigmentary abnormalities. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study conducted from 1988 to 1995 with an average follow-up of 4.8 years. METHODS: Data from baseline and 5-year follow-up examinations were analyzed for Beaver Dam Eye Study participants (n = 3435). The Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System was used to assess the presence and severity of early age-related maculopathy. RESULTS: Men were more likely to be coffee and caffeine drinkers than were women. For both men and women, coffee and caffeine intake decreased with age. Coffee and caffeine consumption were not associated with the 5-year incidence of early age-related maculopathy, soft indistinct drusen, or pigmentary abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Neither a history of coffee nor caffeine consumption is associated with incident early age-related maculopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Asteroid hyalosis in a population: the Beaver Dam eye study.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of asteroid hyalosis and to examine correlates of asteroid hyalosis in a population-based cohort. METHODS: The population of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, that was 43 to 86 years of age was examined from 1988 to 1990 (n = 4926). The population is predominantly white (99.4%) northern European. Asteroid hyalosis was determined from stereoscopic fundus photographs of three standard fields. RESULTS: Fundus photographs were gradable in 4747 subjects. Asteroid hyalosis was present in 1.2% (95% confidence interval, 0.9,1.5%). In subjects in which it was present, asteroid hyalosis was bilateral in 9%. Prevalence increased significantly (P <.001) with age from 0.2% in subjects 43 to 54 years to 2.9% in subjects 75 to 86 years. After adjusting for age, men were more likely (1.8%) to have asteroid hyalosis than women (0.8%). After adjusting for age and sex, asteroid hyalosis was significantly more likely to be found in subjects with greater body mass (P =.02) and higher alcohol consumption (P =.03). There were nonsignificant trends with systolic blood pressure (P =.07), serum cholesterol (P =.09), and serum albumin (P =.09). It was not significantly associated (P >.05) with diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease history, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, serum calcium, cigarette smoking, physical activity, intraocular pressure, or refractive error. These relationships were confirmed in a multivariable logistic model. CONCLUSIONS: The current study documents the infrequency of asteroid hyalosis in the population as graded from three photographic fields of the fundus. It does not support previous observations of an association of asteroid hyalosis with diabetes or refractive error. The relevance of the new associations reported (body mass, alcohol) remains to be determined.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cataract and hearing loss in a population-based study: the Beaver Dam studies.

PURPOSE: Cataract and hearing loss are each common at older ages and together may influence the ability to function independently and affect the sense of well-being. For these reasons, we sought to estimate the risk factors for comorbidity of age-related cataract and hearing loss. METHODS: A cross-sectional evaluation of a population-based cohort of older adults was conducted in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, for presence of age-related cataract and hearing loss. The study evaluation included taking standardized medical histories, measuring blood pressures, and obtaining blood specimens. Standardized photographs, which were graded according to well-defined protocols to assess the presence of nuclear, cortical or posterior subcapsular cataract, were taken. Audiometric testing was performed according to well-defined study protocols. RESULTS: Any type of cataract in combination with hearing loss in either ear was frequent, occurring in 27.8% of the population overall and increasing consistently with age. Nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract in combination with hearing loss occurred more often in men. Lifestyle factors that were associated with at least one cataract-hearing loss end point in at least one sex were history of heavy drinking and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: In this community, older adults appear to be at high risk of cataract and hearing loss. Although risk is strongly associated with age, some elective exposures appear to influence risk. It is possible that modification of certain lifestyle habits may alter these risks.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration: Pooled findings from three continents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and potential risk factors for late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in three racially similar populations from North America, Europe, and AUSTRALIA: DESIGN: Combined analysis of population-based eye disease prevalence data. PARTICIPANTS: There were 14,752 participants with gradable photographs from the Beaver Dam Eye Study (n = 4756), Rotterdam Study (n = 6411), and Blue Mountains Eye Study (n = 3585). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: AMD diagnosis was made from masked grading of stereo macular photographs. Final classification of AMD cases was agreed by consensus between study investigators. RESULTS: AMD prevalence was strongly age related. Overall, AMD was present in 0.2% of the combined population aged 55 to 64 years, rising to 13% of the population older than 85 years. Prevalence of neovascular AMD (NV) increased from 0.17% among subjects aged 55 to 64 years to 5.8% for those older than 85 years. Prevalence of pure geographic atrophy (GA) increased from 0.04% to 4.2% for these age groups. There were no significant gender differences in the prevalence of NV or GA. Subjects in the Rotterdam population had a significantly lower age-adjusted and smoking-adjusted risk of NV than subjects in the Beaver Dam and Blue Mountains populations. Apart from age, tobacco smoking was the only risk factor consistently associated with any form of AMD in all sites separately and in pooled analyses over the three sites. CONCLUSIONS: These combined data from racially similar communities across three continents provide strong and consistent evidence that tobacco smoking is the principal known preventable exposure associated with any form of AMD.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Drug use and five-year incidence of age-related cataracts: The Beaver Dam Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate incident cataract after a 5-year interval with respect to medication use. DESIGN: Population-based incidence study. MAIN OUTCOME: Incident cataract judged from standard photographs. SETTING: Study subjects were adults 43 to 86 years of age in 1988 to 1990 and again in 1993 to 1995. All participants were examined and interviewed, and photographs were taken. All procedures and grading were done by protocols at both examinations. All medications in current use, prescribed as well as over-the-counter, were brought to the examination site, and the names were recorded at that time. RESULTS: There were 678 drug preparations (active ingredients) being used at the baseline examination. Significantly lower incidences of nuclear cataracts 5 years later occurred in those who took thiazide diuretics (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63, 1.00) and aspirin (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.61, 0.95) at the baseline examination. There were significantly more incident cortical cataracts in those taking oral steroids (OR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.45, 4.62), amitriptyline (OR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.09, 3.79), oral hypoglycemic agents (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.23, 3.44), and insulin (OR = 3.38, 95% CI 1.61, 7.08). There were significantly more incident posterior subcapsular cataracts in those taking potassium-sparing diuretics (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.42, 3.18) and oral hypoglycemic agents (OR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.57, 5.33). Considering past use with never and current use did not alter the patterns of associations. We were not able to separate the effects of antihypertensive or diuretic agents from that of hypertension. However, hypoglycemic agents were no longer associated with any cataract type after stratifying by diabetes status. CONCLUSIONS: Although many different medications were being used at the baseline examination in the Beaver Dam Eye Study cohort, few were associated with incident cataract. However, with the high frequency of use of medications and the possibility that effects of current exposure may occur in the future, it is reasonable to follow this and other older cohorts for the development of cataract.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Changes in visual acuity in a population over a 10-year period : The Beaver Dam Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the change in visual acuity in a 10-year period. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Included 3684 persons 43 to 86 years of age at the time of a baseline examination in 1988 to 1990, living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, at a follow-up examination in 1993 to 1995 and/or 1998 to 2000. METHODS: Best-corrected visual acuity was measured, after refraction, with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution charts using a modification of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Doubling of the visual angle and incidence of visual impairment. RESULTS: The change in the mean number of letters read correctly over the 10-year period varied in the right eye from -0.9 (standard deviation [SD] = 5.5) and in the left eye from -1.2 (SD = 6.6) in people between 43 and 54 years of age to -11.0 (SD = 20.0) in the right eye and -12.6 (SD = 20.4) in the left eye in people 75 years of age or older (n = 184) at baseline. Over the 10-year period, 5.9% of the population had impaired vision (20/40 or worse in the better eye) develop, 0.8% had severe visual impairment (20/200 or worse in the better eye) develop, 4.8% had doubling of the visual angle, and 3.9% had improved vision. People who were 75 years of age or older at baseline were 15.0 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.9-20.6; P < 0.001) as likely to have impaired vision develop, 9.3 times (95% CI, 6.5-13.3; P < 0.001) as likely to have doubling of the visual angle, and 19.8 times as likely (95% CI, 8.4-46.4; P < or = 0.001) to have severe visual impairment develop than people younger than 75 years of age at baseline. For the 82 persons 75 years of age or older, currently residing in a nursing or group home at follow-up, they were 2.6 times (95% CI, 1.45-4.52) as likely to have impaired vision develop, 1.6 times (95% CI, 0.47-5.62) as likely to have severely impaired vision develop, and 3.6 times (95% CI, 1.96-6.78) as likely to have had a doubling of the visual angle than those not residing in a nursing or group home at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide precise population-based estimates of the 10-year incidence of loss of vision over a wide spectrum of ages and show that decreased visual acuity in people 75 years of age after 10 years is a common finding, especially in those who are admitted to nursing or group homes.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Measures of obesity and age-related eye diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare body mass index with waist-to-hip ratio as correlates of age-related eye disease. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Participants of the Beaver Dam Eye Study at 5-year follow-up examinations. METHODS: Body mass index was computed from weight and height, and waist-to-hip ratio was computed from measurements all done at the 5-year examination. Presence of ocular lesions was based on gradings of standard photographs of the retina and lens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of early and late age-related maculopathy and nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular cataracts. RESULTS: In women, early age-related maculopathy was significantly associated with both body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. The relationship between waist-to-hip ratio and late age-related maculopathy was of borderline significance. When analyzed as continuous measures, waist-to-hip ratio was more strongly associated with nearly every outcome compared to body mass index. In men, there was little difference between body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio as correlates of age-related eye diseases. The reason for differences between men and women is not clear, but is unlikely to be due to current exposure to estrogen. CONCLUSIONS: In women in our analyses, waist-to-hip ratio is more strongly associated with age-related eye disease than is body mass index. When adiposity is considered as a risk factor itself, or as a confounder of risk factors for age-related ocular disease, waist-to-hip ratio may be the better measure to use in women.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Is the pulse rate useful in assessing risk of diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema? The Wisconsin Epidemiological Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.

AIM: To describe the relation between pulse rate and incident diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Population based cohort study of people with diabetes. Resting pulse rate was measured in 30 second intervals. Diabetic retinopathy was evaluated from masked gradings of fundus photographs. RESULTS: People with higher pulse rates were more likely to have 4 year progression of retinopathy, progression to proliferative retinopathy, and incident macular oedema than those with lower pulse rates. However, these associations were attenuated after controlling for blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin, and other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Pulse rate may be a clinical indicator of overall risk of diabetic retinopathy, but is not independently associated with the condition.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Peak expiratory flow rate: relationship to risk variables and mortality: the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of diabetic retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine correlates of peak expiratory flow rate in people with type 1 diabetes and to evaluate the relationship of peak expiratory flow rate to mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cohort study that was originally designed to determine the prevalence, incidence, and severity of diabetic retinopathy also provided the opportunity to measure peak expiratory flow rate. This was first measured at a 10-year follow-up and was evaluated in regard to risk factors for microvascular complications of diabetes. Mortality during 6 years of follow-up after the measurement was also ascertained. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, peak expiratory flow rate was associated with sex, age, height, BMI, history of cardiovascular disease, pulse rate, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin, and end-stage renal disease. Peak expiratory flow rate was significantly associated with survival in categorical analyses. Even after considering age, sex, renal disease, history of cardiovascular disease, respiratory symptoms, duration of diabetes, cigarette smoking, and hypertension, peak expiratory flow rate was still significantly related to survival (hazard ratio 0.61 [95% CI 0.46-0.82]). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that peak expiratory flow rate is associated with risk factors for other complications of diabetes. In addition, peak expiratory flow rate is a significant predictor of survival over even a relatively short period of time (6 years) in patients with younger-onset diabetes.

Adolescent↗