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Relationship of borderline symptoms to histories of abuse and neglect: a pilot study.

Axis II diagnoses of 50 applicants for long-term inpatient treatment were obtained using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire, Revised. Clinical records were coded for evidence of a history of childhood abuse or neglect. Seventy-five percent of patients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) had histories of some type of abuse, compared with 33 percent of the nonborderline patients. A principal components analysis of the eight DSM-III-R criteria for BPD and histories of abuse and neglect showed that abuse history is correlated with the criteria of unstable relationships, feelings of emptiness, and abandonment fears, whereas neglect history is correlated with suicidal behavior. Affective instability, intense anger, and identity disturbance were uncorrelated with abuse or neglect. Thus, the affective symptoms of BPD appear to be unrelated to aversive childhood events, consistent with the concept of a subtype of BPD dominated by affective dysregulation.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations among clinic-based African American families with breast cancer.

To define the prevalence and relative contributions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations among African American families with breast cancer, we analyzed 28 DNA samples from patients identified through two oncology clinics. The entire coding regions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 were screened by protein truncation test, heteroduplex analysis, or single-stranded conformation polymorphism followed by DNA sequencing of variant bands. Deleterious protein-truncating BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were identified in five patients or 18% of the entire cohort. Only 8% (1 of 13) of women with a family history of breast cancer, but no ovarian cancer, had mutations. The mutation rates were higher for women from families with a history of breast cancer and at least one ovarian cancer (three of six, 50%). One woman with a family history of undocumented cancers was also found to carry a deleterious mutation in BRCA2. The spectrum of mutations was unique in that one novel BRCA1 mutation (1625del5) and three novel BRCA2 mutations (1536del4, 6696delTC, and 7795delCT) were identified. No recurrent mutations were identified in this cohort, although one BRCA2 (2816insA) mutation had been previously reported. In addition, two BRCA1 and four BRCA2 missense mutations of unknown significance were identified, one of which was novel. Taken together with our previous report on recurrent mutations seen in unrelated families, we conclude that African Americans have a unique mutation spectrum in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but recurrent mutations are likely to be more widely dispersed and therefore not readily identifiable in this population.

Adult↗

Relational data model for the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria.

This article describes a data model for encoding the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria (ACRAC) for selection of diagnostic imaging procedures. These guidelines are recognized widely as an authoritative repository of "best evidence" concerning appropriate radiology tests for a large number of clinical conditions. In its current text document format, the ACRAC is of limited utility for electronic use. The data model the authors propose completely encodes all attributes and domains of the published guidelines and is suitable for translation into any industry standard relational database system. Additionally, the authors have added mappings onto commonly used procedure (CPT) and clinical problem (ICD) coding systems. When populated with the current ACRAC content, such a database could serve as the "master" repository of the guidelines with changes and additions made via an interface built with standard database application development tools. The database also could be made available for incorporation into existing information systems used for order entry, decision support, compliance tracking, and health services research at regional and national levels.

Databases, Factual↗

Minidose aspirin and gastrointestinal bleeding--a retrospective, case-control study in hospitalized patients.

Low or minimal doses of aspirin are widely used for prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Aspirin is known to produce severe adverse gastrointestinal effects, such as bleeding and perforation. Less is known about the risk associated with minidose aspirin. Our aim was to assess the possible association of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding with minidose aspirin therapy. A retrospective controlled design was used. Patients hospitalized for melena or hematemesis between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001, were identified by ICD-9 codes, and their clinical findings were compared to these of patients without upper gastrointestinal bleeding hospitalized during the same period and matched for age and sex. Bleeding was attributed to therapy if patients used a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin therapy within 30 days before hospitalization. The study group included 318 patients (59% male), and the control group 141 (65% male). Mean ages were 67 +/- 19 and 64 +/- 19 years, respectively. Study patients had more accompanying diseases, used more medications, and required more blood transfusions than controls (37%, vs. 2% of controls; P < 0.001). Minidose aspirin was used by 28% of the study group and 18% of the controls (P = 0.03). The average dose was 40 +/- 86 and 21 +/- 55 mg/day, respectively (P = 0.012). Only 26% of the study patients received a gastric protective agent. On multivariate analysis, aspirin consumption was the only independent risk factor for upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. There appears to be an association between minidose aspirin treatment and hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Despite the advanced age of the patients, only one-quarter were treated with gastric protective agent.

Aged↗

Evaluation of a monoclonal antibody typing system for herpes simplex virus.

This study compared conventional viral isolation (VI) in cell cultures with a commercial product--Virgo antigen detection system--for the identification and typing of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The system is designed to identify and type HSV from direct lesion smears (DS) and from cell culture smears (CS) infected with a swab from the patient's lesion by means of an indirect fluorescence assay (IFA) using HSV type-common and HSV-2 type-specific monoclonal antibodies. A total of 71 coded specimens manifesting clinical characteristics consistent with HSV were included in this evaluation from which DS, CS, and VI were performed. Specimens were taken from a variety of intraoral and extraoral sites, from both recurrent and primary lesions, and at various stages of lesion progression. The results showed that HSV was not detected in 22 of the 71 specimens by either DS, CS, or VI. Forty-nine specimens were positive by both CS and VI; 47 of these were typed as HSV-1 and 2 were typed as HSV-2. Thirty-eight of the 49 positive CS and VI specimens also were positive by DS. The remaining 11 DS slides did not have sufficient cells for analysis. It was concluded that the success of a valid DS test depended on the stage of the lesion and the sampling technique. The sensitivity and specificity of CS and DS were 100% and 82%, respectively, for detection of virus when compared with VI. When done properly with an adequate number of cells from the lesion, the DS proved to be an accurate and rapid (2 hours) procedure.

Adolescent↗

Appendectomy for appendicitis in patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence suggests that schizophrenia patients who require surgery have a high rate of adverse outcomes. We searched the Department of Veterans Affairs national datasets to determine the clinical course of schizophrenia patients with appendicitis who underwent appendectomy. METHODS: The Patient Treatment File (the nationwide inpatient database for the Department of Veterans Affairs) and the Beneficiary Identification and Records Location System were searched to identify all patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic codes for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder diagnosed with appendicitis during fiscal years 1995 to 1999. Computer-based information was supplemented with chart-based data. We sought data on six common preoperative risk factors and 25 specific adverse outcomes, including death. RESULTS: There were 55 patients identified. The mean age was 49, and 96% were men. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis of appendicitis was 3 days. A history of substance abuse was obtained in 16 (29%). Disruptive behavior was documented in 16 (29%). Restraints were used in 9 (9%). The appendix was perforated in 36 (66%) and gangrenous in 9 (16%). Thirty-one (56%) had > or = 1 complication; there were 2 in-hospital deaths (4%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on this topic in the medical literature. Appendicitis is typically diagnosed late in schizophrenic patients. Adverse patient behaviors are frequent. The complication and death rates are high.

Appendectomy↗

Impact of depression on utilization patterns of oral hypoglycemic agents in patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) are an important component in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Large-scale studies have demonstrated that tight glycemic control with such agents can reduce the frequency and severity of long-term DM-related complications. OBJECTIVES: The main goal of this study was to examine the impact of depression on utilization patterns of OHAs in patients newly diagnosed with type 2 DM. A secondary objective was to estimate the impact of depression on discontinuation and modification of pharmacotherapy for DM in these patients. METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with type 2 DM during a 3-year period (1998-2000) were identified from a Medicaid claims database. Presence of preexisting depression was determined on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. The patient cohort was followed up until they received their first prescription for an OHA (1998-2001); this date was treated as the index date for the study. Utilization patterns (ie, discontinuation, augmentation, switching, non-modification) for OHAs were computed for a 12-month follow-up period after the index date. A multivariate framework was used to estimate the impact of depression on utilization patterns, controlling for confounders such as demographics, comorbidity, provider interaction, drug regimen complexity, and DM severity. RESULTS: A total of 1237 newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients were identified (depressed, n=446; nondepressed, n=791). A higher number of depressed patients (23.32%) switched or augmented therapy compared with nondepressed patients (16.18%). Also, a higher fraction of depressed patients (39.46%) discontinued OHA therapy compared with nondepressed patients (32.87%). Results of a multinomial logistic regression indicated that, controlling for covariates, patients with depression were 1.72 times more likely to switch (P=0.046) and 1.89 times more likely to augment therapy (P=0.004) compared with nondepressed patients. Logistic regression analysis also indicated that, controlling for confounding covariates, patients with depression were 1.72 times more likely to modify initial OHA therapy compared with patients without depression (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Depression was significantly associated with utilization patterns of OHAs in these patients newly diagnosed with type 2 DM, thus possibly affecting their disease management.

Administration, Oral↗

Laparoscopy for renal cell carcinoma: diffusion versus regionalization?

PURPOSE: Recognizing the emergence of laparoscopy as a standard of care for surgical treatment in many patients with organ confined renal cell carcinoma, we explored the diffusion of this technology by examining temporal trends in the nationwide use of laparoscopic total and partial nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample were abstracted for 1991 through 2003. International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification 9 codes were used to identify patients undergoing open and laparoscopic total and partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Using hospital sampling weights we calculated annual incidence rates for open and laparoscopic nephrectomy, thereby estimating the diffusion of laparoscopy. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with the more frequent use of laparoscopic techniques. RESULTS: Data on 63,812 patients were abstracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, yielding a weighted national estimate of 323,979 who underwent laparoscopic (4.9%) or open (95.1%) nephrectomy (total or partial) for renal cell carcinoma between 1991 and 2003. Although it is still infrequent, the use of laparoscopy has increased steadily since 1998 with a utilization peak in 2003 of 1.7 laparoscopic nephrectomies per 100,000 American population, representing 16% of all total and partial nephrectomies for renal cell carcinoma in 2003. Treatment year, overall hospital nephrectomy volume and teaching hospital status were the most robust determinants of increased laparoscopic use (each p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although its use has increased progressively in the last decade, the dissemination of laparoscopy for renal cell carcinoma has been generally slow and limited in scope. The next step in this body of work is to identify specific technical, educational and policy interventions that will influence the diffusion of this alternative standard of care.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

Uveitis in the elderly: epidemiological data from the National Long-term Care Survey Medicare Cohort.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of population-based data on the epidemiology of uveitis in the elderly. In the past 40 years, only 2 U.S. population-based studies have examined the epidemiology of uveitis. The conclusions of these studies on the burden of uveitis in the elderly differ greatly. In this analysis, we use Medicare claims data to define the population-based incidence and prevalence of uveitis in the United States elderly population. DESIGN: Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 21644 Medicare beneficiaries drawn for the National Long-term Care Survey, a random sample of U.S. adults 65 years and older, was followed up from 1991 through 1999. METHODS: The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes specific to uveitis were queried. To decrease the inclusion of uveitis caused by surgery, diagnoses occurring within 3 months of intraocular surgery were excluded. The incidence and prevalence of uveitis by anatomic location was calculated for each year in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The onset of uveitis during a given year and its presence in subsequent years. RESULTS: The cumulative yearly incidence of uveitis ranged from 302/100000 to 424/100000 persons per year and averaged 340.9/100000 persons per year. Anterior uveitis was the most common form of uveitis in this population, with a mean incidence of 243.6 cases per 100000 persons per year. The incidence of posterior uveitis averaged 76.6/100000 and the incidence of panuveitis/endophthalmitis averaged 41.7/100000. Only 2 cases of intermediate uveitis occurred during the study period. The cumulative prevalence of uveitis doubled from 511/100000 in 1991 to 1231/100000 in 1999, with anterior uveitis accounting for most prevalent cases in every year. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of uveitis in the elderly is substantial and is higher than previously thought. Longitudinal analysis of Medicare claims data may provide a useful tool for monitoring uncommon diseases, such as uveitis, in the elderly population.

Aged↗

The vulnerabilities of age: burns in children and older adults.

BACKGROUND: Both children and older adults are thought to sustain burns serious enough to warrant hospitalization disproportionately more often than other age groups, but the incidence, injury characteristics, and outcome have not been precisely defined. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with a burn diagnosis were identified from hospital discharge data from California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York for the 5-year period 2000-2004. RESULTS: In those states, 60,024 residents were hospitalized with a diagnosis of burn and/or inhalation injury according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. Using population data from the United States Census 2000, we found that the average annual incidence of hospitalization with a burn diagnosis in these 4 states was 155 per million (per M) (95% confidence interval,153-158). There were 13,453 children under 15 years of age: incidence, 163 per M (range, 157-169). Of these 9508 (70%) were under 5 years of age: incidence, 363 per M (range, 347-379). In contrast, there were 10,686 patients 65 years of age or older: incidence, 214 per M (range, 205-224), of whom 2091 were at least 85 years old: incidence, 347 per M (range, 314-380). The incidence of hospitalization with a burn diagnosis for patients 15 to 64 years of age was 141 per M (range, 138-145). Compared with children younger than 15 years, patients aged 65 years and older more often had flame burns (odds ratio [OR], 2.12), burns of 20% or more of body surface area (OR, 2.41), inhalation injury (OR, 2.88), respiratory failure (OR, 4.48), and death (OR, 16.53), all P < .0001. CONCLUSIONS: Older individuals are the most vulnerable to the morbidity and mortality of burn injury. Prevention strategies targeted to those older than 65 years should be developed.

Adolescent↗

Coronary angioplasty outcomes in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, 1993-1994.

It is estimated that >400,000 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures are performed in the Unites States annually. This study reports patient characteristics and outcomes for 163,527 PTCAs performed in 214 hospitals in 17 states from 1993 to 1994. These hospitals were a 20% random sample of hospitals in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, which was designed to reflect hospitalization in the United States, generally. Cases with International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification procedure codes 36.01, 36.02, and 36.05 were defined as PTCA and were categorized as to whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was the principal discharge diagnosis. The average age of 44,270 AMI discharges (27%) was 62 +/- 12 years and that of 119,257 no-AMI cases (73%) was 64 +/- 11 years; 1/3 of both groups were women, 88% were white, and almost 90% had Medicare or private insurance as the primary payer. The states contributing the most cases were Florida (26%), California (12%), and Wisconsin (10%). Hospital mortality was 1.7% overall and was 3.8% for AMI and 0.8% for no-AMI cases. Bypass surgery performed during the same admission was 3.4% overall and was 4.5% and 3.0% for AMI and no-AMI cases, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age, diabetes, female gender, and Medicaid payer status were associated with increased risk of mortality. National estimates from this 20% sample indicate that >850,000 PTCAs were performed in the 2 years, with 452,319 cases estimated for 1994. In 1994 there were an estimated 2,789 deaths and 9,903 bypass surgeries in the no-AMI subset of 327,856 procedures. For the AMI group of 124,463 procedures, there were 4,486 deaths and 5,799 bypass surgeries in 1994. This study of PTCA outcomes contains the largest number of cases as well as the most representative sample reported to date.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

The association between maternal cocaine use and placenta previa.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether maternal cocaine exposure is a risk factor for placenta previa. STUDY DESIGN: In this case-control study, cases of placenta previa confirmed at delivery (ascertained by International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification, code-based search, N = 40) were compared with a random sample of patients without placenta previa (N = 80) in a ratio of two controls per case. Data on antecedent maternal cocaine use, as well as other potential risk factors for placenta previa, were obtained from a review of the prenatal chart and the hospital record. Categorization of cocaine use was based on either patient self-report or urine toxicologic testing, or both. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association between cocaine and placenta previa while we controlled for other variables. RESULTS: After the effects of other variables were adjusted for, maternal cocaine use was an independent risk factor for placenta previa (adjusted odds ratio = 4.39, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 16.4). Other significant risk factors included a history of cesarean section and prior elective abortion. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that cocaine use, as well as prior cesarean section, prior elective abortion, and parity, are associated with placenta previa.

Adult↗

Composite resident work week.

During a 4-week period, all residents in the Wright State University School of Medicine Department of Surgery residency program were required to keep a log of their daily activities. Times were collected for the following resident activities: patient rounds, work-ups, laboratory data review, consults, meetings with attending physicians or patient families, phone calls, teaching conferences, medical student teaching, library time, clinics, attendance at codes, emergency department visits, on-call time, medical records committee meetings, and time scrubbed. The composite average weekly hours by resident year were 83.4 hours [postgraduate year (PGY)-1], 78.4 hours (PGY-2), 60.2 hours (PGY-3), 79.6 hours (PGY-4), and 80.9 hours (PGY-5). More than 50% of the resident work week cards were for less than 80 hours. Three activities (patient rounds, time scrubbed, and on-call) accounted for the majority of the residents' hours, but the average week, deleting educational and administrative hours, was less than 80 hours for all residents.

General Surgery↗

Hysterectomy rates in the United States 1990-1997.

OBJECTIVE: To assess hysterectomy rates, type of hysterectomy, and other factors associated within the United States from 1990-1997. METHODS: A descriptive statistical analysis of national discharge data was undertaken. Data from the nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (from which national estimates are generated based on a 20% stratified sample of US community hospitals) were used for the years 1990-1997. All women who underwent hysterectomy were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, procedure codes. Outcome measures included rate, type of hysterectomy, age of patients, length of stay, total hospital charges, and diagnostic categories. RESULTS: Rates of hysterectomy have not changed significantly over the years from 1990-1997. Rates for hysterectomy in 1990 were 5.5 per 1000 women and increased slightly by 1997 to 5.6 per 1000 women. The type of hysterectomy has changed, with laparoscopic hysterectomy accounting for 9.9% of cases by 1997, with a concomitant decline in abdominal hysterectomy but no substantial change in vaginal hysterectomy rates. Length of stay decreased and total charges increased for all types of hysterectomy. Vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy are associated with shorter length of stay than abdominal hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy is the most common procedure (63.0% in 1997). CONCLUSION: The majority of hysterectomies are abdominal, and the most common indication is uterine fibroids. The introduction of alternative techniques for controlling abnormal uterine bleeding such as endometrial ablation has not had an impact on hysterectomy rates, and there has only been a limited uptake of laparoscopic approaches.

Adult↗

The difficult adolescents who are referred to a psychiatric unit--I. Classification.

The first 206 cases referred to an adolescent psychiatry unit were coded on a clinical inventory. This inventory proved to have acceptable inter-rater and test retest reliability, as well as quite a high degree of validity. Cluster analysis using Yule's similarity coefficient produced a series of near neighbours which, when combined with relevant history details produced four diagnostic groupings which seem to have clinical relevance to referrals to an adolescent psychiatric clinic. The importance of correct diagnosis in this age group is emphasized because of the part it plays in the search for more effective treatments of adolescent disorders.

Adolescent↗

Strabismus surgery among aged medicare beneficiaries.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of strabismus surgery among aged patients in the United States. METHODS: The Medicare Part B claims experience (physician professional fee billing) for 1995 was reviewed for the number of times each strabismus surgical procedure recognized in Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) was performed. To determine the indications for the procedures that were performed, a 5% sample of claims was reviewed for the pertinent International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, diagnostic codes. RESULTS: There were 27 million aged Medicare beneficiaries eligible for Part B benefits in 1995 in a fee-for-service setting. During that year physicians reported 9497 strabismus physician services. These represented 6585 separate procedures (CPT codes 67311 to 67343) and 277 botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for strabismus (CPT 67345) performed during 1995. Sixty-nine percent of the surgical procedures were for horizontal correction and 28% were for vertical correction. Adjustable sutures were used for only 1240 cases (1 9%). The add-on procedural code for reoperation surgery or surgery in the presence of restriction of the extraocular muscles was used in just 930 cases (14%). The most common diagnosis for horizontal surgery was exotropia. Paralytic strabismus and thyroid disease were identified for 17% of cases. Three percent of the diagnoses were inappropriate for the procedures performed and may have been reported in error. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm a very low incidence of strabismus surgical procedures (2/10,000) and injections (1/100,000) among aged Medicare beneficiaries. The strabismus surgery was most often performed to repair a horizontal deviation. The adjustable suture technique was used infrequently. These data may be extrapolated into the future to aid in determining the strabismus services that will be needed early in the next century.

Aged↗

Regulation of therapeutic cloning in the UK.

The history and responsibilities of the British Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are described. Its establishment by law in 1990 and its duties of licensing clinics, issuing a Code of Practice, maintaining a Register of treatments, giving advice and licensing new treatments are traced. Although research on embryos was legalized in the UK in 1990, a change in the law was required in 2001 to permit therapeutic cloning and research on embryos for the purposes of seeking treatments for serious disease. The detailed process of licensing stem cell research is described, together with a description of new licences issued and the legal challenges to the new law and to the licences that have been issued by the Pro-Life Alliance. An account is given of the ban on reproductive cloning contained in the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 and the findings of the House of Lords Select Committee on Stem Cell Research, 2002. It is concluded that the mechanisms exist in Britain to regulate stem cell research in an ethical fashion and to prohibit reproductive cloning by law.

Animals↗

Gender differences in diabetes mellitus and effects on self-care activity.

BACKGROUND: Effective self-care, including adherence to diet, exercise, and medication regimens, is an essential component of health care for individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to examine sex-based differences in DM and to explore the effects of gender on self-care. METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively using data from the 2001 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). People with DM were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic code; analyses were stratified by sex. Variables included age, race/ethnicity, education, income, body mass index (BMI), number of comorbidities, physical and cognitive limitations, smoking status, and depression. Outcome measures were assessed by Short Form-12 (SF-12) Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores. Univariate analyses were determined using t, chi(2), or Fisher exact tests, as appropriate. Multivariate analyses examined associations between sex and SF-12 MCS/PCS scores adjusted for other variables. RESULTS: A total of 1653 MEPS respondents (883 women, 770 men) with DM were identified for the current study. The women were significantly older than the men (61.2 vs 59.1 years), had less education (11.1 vs 12.0 years), and had lower incomes. Women had higher calculated BMI (31.4 vs 30.3), more comorbidities (7.8 vs 6.4), more depression, and more physical and cognitive limitations than did men. Women also scored lower than men on the SF-12 MCS and PCS (47.8 vs 49.9 and 38.2 vs 41.4, respectively). All these measures were statistically significant (P < 0.01). In multivariate analyses, physical limitations, BMI, and number of comorbidities were negatively correlated, and income and education were positively correlated, with MCS and PCS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with their male counterparts, diabetic women scored lower on measures of health status and functioning-factors that are likely to affect self-care activities. Sex-based differences should be considered when developing screening and treatment programs for people with DM.

Activities of Daily Living↗