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Biomedical subjects

K M Venkat Narayan

Publications and source records attributed to K M Venkat Narayan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Peripheral insensate neuropathy--a tall problem for US adults?

The relation between height and lower extremity peripheral insensate neuropathy among persons with and without diabetes was examined by use of the 1999-2002 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with 5,229 subjects aged 40 or more years. A monofilament was used to determine whether any of three areas on each foot were insensate. Peripheral insensate neuropathy was defined as the presence of one or more insensate areas. Its prevalence was nearly twice as high among persons with diabetes (21.2%) as among those without diabetes (11.5%; p < 0.001). Men (16.2%) had 1.7 times the prevalence of peripheral insensate neuropathy as did women (9.4%), but the difference was not significant after adjustment for height. Greater height was associated with increased peripheral insensate neuropathy prevalence among persons with and without diabetes (p < 0.001). This association was characterized by a sharp increase in prevalence among persons who were taller than 175.5 cm. Peripheral insensate neuropathy risk was significantly higher among those taller than 175.5 cm (adjusted odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.5, 3.5). The authors conclude that body height is an important correlate of peripheral insensate neuropathy. This association largely accounts for the difference in peripheral insensate neuropathy prevalence between men and women. Height may help health-care providers to identify persons at high risk of peripheral insensate neuropathy.

Body Height↗
PubMed2006

Improvements in diabetes processes of care and intermediate outcomes: United States, 1988-2002.

BACKGROUND: Progress of diabetes care is a subject of public health concern. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in quality of diabetes care in the United States by using standardized measures. DESIGN: National population-based, serial cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994 and 1999-2002) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (1995 and 2002). PARTICIPANTS: Survey participants 18 to 75 years of age who reported a diagnosis of diabetes. MEASUREMENTS: Glycemic control, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, annual cholesterol level monitoring, and annual foot and dilated eye examination, as defined by the National Diabetes Quality Improvement Alliance measures. RESULTS: In the past decade, the proportion of persons with diabetes with poor glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c > 9%) showed a nonstatistically significant decrease of 3.9% (95% CI, -10.4% to 2.5%), while the proportion of persons with fair or good lipid control (LDL cholesterol level < 3.4 mmol/L [<130 mg/dL]) had a statistically significant increase of 21.9% (CI, 12.4% to 31.3%). Mean LDL cholesterol level decreased by 0.5 mmol/L (18.8 mg/dL). Although mean hemoglobin A1c did not change, the proportion of persons with hemoglobin A(1c) of 6% to 8% increased from 34.2% to 47.0%. The blood pressure distribution did not change. Annual lipid testing, dilated eye examination, and foot examination increased by 8.3% (CI, 4.0% to 12.7%), 4.5% (CI, 0.5% to 8.5%), and 3.8% (CI, -0.1% to 7.7%), respectively. The proportion of persons reporting annual influenza vaccination and aspirin use improved by 6.8 percentage points (CI, 2.9 percentage points to 10.7 percentage points) and 13.1 percentage points (CI, 5.4 percentage points to 20.7 percentage points), respectively. LIMITATIONS: Data are self-reported, and the surveys do not have all National Diabetes Quality Improvement Alliance indicators. CONCLUSION: Diabetes processes of care and intermediate outcomes have improved nationally in the past decade. But 2 in 5 persons with diabetes still have poor LDL cholesterol control, 1 in 3 persons still has poor blood pressure control, and 1 in 5 persons still has poor glycemic control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Are physician reimbursement strategies associated with processes of care and patient satisfaction for patients with diabetes in managed care?

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between physician reimbursement incentives and diabetes care processes and explore potential confounding with physician organizational model. DATA SOURCES: Primary data collected during 2000-2001 in 10 managed care plans. STUDY DESIGN: Multilevel logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between reimbursement incentives and process measures, including the receipt of dilated eye exams, foot exams, influenza immunizations, advice to take aspirin, and assessments of glycemic control, proteinuria, and lipid profile. Reimbursement measures included the proportions of compensation received from salary, capitation, fee-for-service (FFS), and performance-based payment; the performance-based payment criteria used; and interactions of these criteria with the strength of the performance-based payment incentive. DATA COLLECTION: Patient, provider group, and health plan surveys and medical record reviews were conducted for 6,194 patients with diabetes. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Without controlling for physician organizational model, care processes were better when physician compensation was based primarily on direct salary rather than FFS reimbursement (four of seven processes were better, with relative risks ranging from 1.13 to 1.23) or capitation (six were better, with relative risks from 1.06 to 1.36); and when quality/satisfaction scores influenced physician compensation (three were better, with relative risks from 1.17 to 1.26). However, these associations were substantially confounded by organizational model. CONCLUSIONS: Physician reimbursement strategies are associated with diabetes care processes, although their independent contributions are difficult to assess, due to high correlation with physician organizational model. Regardless of causality, a group's use of quality/satisfaction scores to determine physician compensation may indicate delivery of high-quality diabetes care.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed2006

Disparities in HbA1c levels between African-American and non-Hispanic white adults with diabetes: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Among individuals with diabetes, a comparison of HbA(1c) (A1C) levels between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites was evaluated. Data sources included PubMed, Web of Science, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, the Cochrane Library, the Combined Health Information Database, and the Education Resources Information Center. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We executed a search for articles published between 1993 and 2005. Data on sample size, age, sex, A1C, geographical location, and study design were extracted. Cross-sectional data and baseline data from clinical trials and cohort studies for African Americans and non-Hispanic whites with diabetes were included. Diabetic subjects aged <18 years and those with pre-diabetes or gestational diabetes were excluded. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the difference in the mean values of A1C for African Americans and non-Hispanic whites. RESULTS: A total of 391 studies were reviewed, of which 78 contained A1C data. Eleven had data on A1C for African Americans and non-Hispanic whites and met selection criteria. A meta-analysis revealed the standard effect to be 0.31 (95% CI 0.39-0.25). This standard effect correlates to an A1C difference between groups of approximately 0.65%, indicating a higher A1C across studies for African Americans. Grouping studies by study type (cross-sectional or cohort), method of data collection for A1C (chart review or blood draw), and insurance status (managed care or nonmanaged care) showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The higher A1C observed in this meta-analysis among African Americans compared with non-Hispanic whites may contribute to disparity in diabetes morbidity and mortality in this population.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2006

Who is tested for diabetic kidney disease and who initiates treatment? The Translating Research Into Action For Diabetes (TRIAD) Study.

OBJECTIVE: We examined factors associated with screening for albuminuria and initiation of ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment in diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted surveys and medical record reviews for 5,378 patients participating in a study of diabetes care in managed care at baseline (2000-2001) and follow-up (2002-2003). Factors associated with testing for albuminuria were examined in cross-sectional analysis at baseline. Factors associated with initiating ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy were determined prospectively. RESULTS: At baseline, 52% of patients not receiving ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy and without known diabetic kidney disease (DKD) were screened for albuminuria. Patients > or =65 years of age, those with higher HbA(1c), those with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and those without hyperlipidemia were less likely to be screened. Of the patients with positive screening tests, 47% began ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy. Initiation of therapy was associated with positive screening test results, BMI > or =25 kg/m(2), treatment with insulin or oral antidiabetic agents, peripheral neuropathy, systolic blood pressure > or =140 mmHg, and CVD. Of the patients receiving ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy or with known DKD, 63% were tested for albuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for albuminuria was inadequate, especially in older patients or those with competing medical concerns. The value of screening could be increased if more patients with positive screening tests initiated ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy. The efficiency of screening could be improved by limiting screening to diabetic patients not receiving ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy and without known DKD.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed2006

Declining death rates from hyperglycemic crisis among adults with diabetes, U.S., 1985-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in death rates for hyperglycemic crisis (diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state) among adults with diabetes in the U.S. from 1985 to 2002. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Deaths with hyperglycemic crisis as the underlying cause were identified from national mortality data. Death rates were calculated using estimates of adults with diabetes from the National Health Interview Survey as the denominator and age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population. The trends from 1985 to 2002 were tested using joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: Deaths due to hyperglycemic crisis dropped from 2,989 in 1985 to 2,459 in 2002. During the time period, age-adjusted death rates decreased from 42.4 to 23.8 per 100,000 adults with diabetes (4.4% decrease per year, P for trend <0.01). Death rates declined in all age-groups, with the greatest decrease occurring among individuals aged > or =65 years. Age-adjusted death rates fell for all race-sex subgroups, with black men experiencing the smallest decline. About one-fifth of deaths occurred at home or on arrival at the hospital, and the death rates for hyperglycemic crisis occurring at these places declined only modestly over time (2.1% decrease per year, P for trend = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Overall death rates due to hyperglycemic crisis among adults with diabetes have declined in the U.S. However, scope for further improvement remains, especially to further reduce death rates among black men and to prevent deaths occurring at home.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Is the number of documented diabetes process-of-care indicators associated with cardiometabolic risk factor levels, patient satisfaction, or self-rated quality of diabetes care? The Translating Research into Action for Diabetes (TRIAD) study.

OBJECTIVE: Simple process-of-care indicators are commonly recommended to assess and compare quality of diabetes care across health plans. We sought to determine whether variation in the number of simple diabetes processes of care across provider groups is associated with variation in other quality indicators, including cardiometabolic risk factor levels, patient satisfaction with care, or patient-rated quality of care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used cross-sectional survey and chart audit data for 8,733 patients with diabetes who received care from 68 provider groups nested in 10 health plans that participated in the Translating Research Into Action for Diabetes study. Analyses using hierarchical regression models assessed associations of the mean number of seven simple process measures with each of the following: HbA(1c) (A1C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, patient satisfaction with care, and patient-rated quality of care. RESULTS: After adjusting for case-mix differences across groups and plans, an average of one additional documented process of care for each patient in a group or plan was associated with significantly lower mean LDL cholesterol levels (-4.51 mg/dl [95% CI 1.46-7.58]) but not with A1C, SBP, or HDL cholesterol levels. The number of care processes documented was associated with patient satisfaction measures and self-rated quality of diabetes care. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in the number of simple process-of-care indicators across provider groups or health plans is associated with differences in patient-centered measures of quality, but assessment of the quality of cardiometabolic risk factor control will require more advanced clinical performance indicators.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Ethnic disparities: control of glycemia, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol among US adults with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine ethnic disparities in the quality of diabetes care among adults with diabetes in the US through a systematic qualitative review. DATA SOURCES: Material published in the English language was searched from 1993 through June 2003 using PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, the Cochrane Library, Combined Health Information Database, and Education Resources Information Center. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies of patients with diabetes in which at least 50% of study participants were ethnic minorities and studies that made ethnic group comparisons were eligible. Research on individuals having prediabetes, those <18 years of age, or women with gestational diabetes were excluded. Reviewers used a reproducible search strategy. A standardized abstraction and grading of articles for publication source and content were used. Data on glycemia, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were extracted in patients with diabetes. A total of 390 studies were reviewed, with 78 meeting inclusion criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ethnic minorities had poorer outcomes of care than non-Hispanic whites. These disparities were most pronounced for glycemic control and least evident for LDL-C control. Most studies showed blood pressure to be poorly controlled among ethnic minorities. CONCLUSIONS: Control of risk factors for diabetes (glycemia, blood pressure, LDL-C) is challenging and requires routine assessment. These findings indicate that additional efforts are needed to promote diabetes quality of care among minority populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Secular trends in cardiovascular disease risk factors according to body mass index in US adults.

CONTEXT: Prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased dramatically in recent decades, but the magnitude of change in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among the growing proportion of overweight and obese Americans remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine 40-year trends in CVD risk factors by body mass index (BMI) groups among US adults aged 20 to 74 years. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Analysis of 5 cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys: National Health Examination Survey (1960-1962); National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I (1971-1975), II (1976-1980), and III (1988-1994); and NHANES 1999-2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of high cholesterol level (> or =240 mg/dL [> or =6.2 mmol/L] regardless of treatment), high blood pressure (> or =140/90 mm Hg regardless of treatment), current smoking, and total diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed combined) according to BMI group (lean, <25; overweight, 25-29; and obese, > or =30). RESULTS: The prevalence of all risk factors except diabetes decreased over time across all BMI groups, with the greatest reductions observed among overweight and obese groups. Compared with obese persons in 1960-1962, obese persons in 1999-2000 had a 21-percentage-point lower prevalence of high cholesterol level (39% in 1960-1962 vs 18% in 1999-2000), an 18-percentage-point lower prevalence of high blood pressure (from 42% to 24%), and a 12-percentage-point lower smoking prevalence (from 32% to 20%). Survey x BMI group interaction terms indicated that compared with the first survey, the prevalence of high cholesterol in the fifth survey had fallen more in obese and overweight persons than in lean persons (P<.05). Survey x BMI changes in blood pressure and smoking were not statistically significant. Changes in risk factors were accompanied by increases in lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medication use, particularly among obese persons. Total diabetes prevalence was stable within BMI groups over time, as nonsignificant 1- to 2-percentage-point increases occurred between 1976-1980 and 1999-2000. CONCLUSIONS: Except for diabetes, CVD risk factors have declined considerably over the past 40 years in all BMI groups. Although obese persons still have higher risk factor levels than lean persons, the levels of these risk factors are much lower than in previous decades.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Combination pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular disease prevention: threat or opportunity for public health?

In a series of three papers in the British Medical Journal (June 28, 2003), Wald et al. proposed that the Polypill can reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease by 88%, and stroke by 80%, if taken by all people aged > or = 55, as well as people of any age with existing cardiovascular disease or diabetes. We review the rationale and uniqueness behind this idea, identify the concerns and questions that need to be addressed, discuss whether this strategy is a threat or an opportunity for public health, and hope that this will stimulate further debate.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and its relationship with cardiovascular disease risk factors in US adolescents, 1999-2000.

OBJECTIVE: PEDIATRICS (ISSN 0031 4005). Published in the public domain by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Several studies have reported increases in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in youths. People with prediabetic states such as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) are at increased risk for developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of IFG and its relationship with overweight and CVD risk factors in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents who were aged 12 to 19 years. METHODS: We used data from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Adolescents who had fasted for 8 hours or more were included in the study (n = 915). IFG was defined as a fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL. Participants were classified as overweight when their age- and gender-specific BMI was > or = 95th percentile and as at-risk for overweight when their BMI was > or = 85th and < 95th percentile. RESULTS: In 1999-2000, the prevalence of IFG in US adolescents was 7.0% and was higher in boys than in girls (10.0% vs 4.0%). Prevalence of IFG was higher in overweight adolescents (17.8%) but was similar in those with normal weight and those who were at risk for overweight (5.4% vs 2.8%). The prevalence of IFG was significantly different across racial/ethnic groups (13.0%, 4.2%, and 7% in Mexican Americans, non-Hispanic black individuals, and non-Hispanic white individuals, respectively). Adolescents with IFG had significantly higher mean hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than those with normal fasting glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These data, representing 27 million US adolescents, reveal a very high prevalence of IFG (1 in 10 boys and 1 in 25 girls) among adolescents; the condition affects 1 in every 6 overweight adolescents. Adolescents with IFG have features of insulin resistance and worsened CVD risk factors. Evidence for prevention is still forthcoming in this age group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The effects of race and region on cardiovascular morbidity among elderly Americans with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: There is conflicting evidence about whether nonwhite Americans with diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Because geographic region is known to influence the risk of CVD in the U.S., we sought to determine the effects of race and region on cardiovascular morbidity among elderly Americans with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed a national, retrospective, cohort study using the Medicare claims of 126,153 white and 17,962 black patients with diabetes, aged > or =65 years in 1994, who were followed through 1999 for incident acute myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. The effect of race, sex, and region on the incidence of these diseases was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for baseline demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: The incidence of any CVD ranged from 23.9/100 person-years among southern black men to 29.2/100 person-years among non-southern black women. The risk of CVD was lower among southern black men (hazard ratio 0.87 [95% CI 0.82-0.92]) and women (0.95 [0.91-0.99]) than their southern white counterparts. In the three other U.S. regions combined (northeast, midwest, and west), black men had a similar risk for CVD (1.01 [0.95-1.07]), and black women had a greater risk (1.10 [1.05-1.16]) than non-southern white men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly Americans with diabetes, the incidence of CVD is unlikely to differ a great deal between whites and blacks. Residence in the South seems to confer a modest benefit for elderly black people with diabetes.

Black or African American↗