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Aims The burden of diabetes is considerable for racial and ethnic minority populations in many places in the USA and worldwide, often disproportionately affecting immigrant communities. This paper reports findings from a community-based participatory research study that described diabetes risk and awareness, assessed the association between perceived and actual risk (high, two or more diabetes risk factors; low, fewer than two risk factors) and identified factors associated with disease risk among Chinese and Hispanic / Latino immigrant populations in Portland, OR, USA. Methods Cross-sectional, self-reported data were collected from a purposive sample of 324 Chinese (n = 159) and Hispanic / Latino (n = 165) adults, aged 18-86 years [mean (SD) age, 45.2(17.9) years; 50.7% women). Analyses described differences in variable distributions. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios and 95%confidence intervals in pooled and ethnic group-specific samples. Results Approximately 43% of participants were at high risk for diabetes, regardless of ethnicity or age. Of those unaware of their risk, or who perceived themselves not to be at risk, 25-53%had two or more risk factors (high risk); these patterns varied by ethnicity. The proportion of participants who reported two or more risk factors and were unaware of their risk status (31.8% Hispanic / Latino; 17% Chinese) or self-identified as not at risk (12.5% Hispanic / Latino; 13.0% Chinese) was substantial. Factors associated with diabetes risk also varied by ethnicity. Conclusions This study assessed the degree and determinants of diabetes risk and awareness among local Hispanic / Latino and Chinese communities and identified significant variation between groups. The results are important because they highlight substantial diabetes risk among persons who misestimate or are unaware of their risk status, regardless of ethnicity, and, in the USA, the Chinese immigrant population commonly is not considered a high-risk group for Type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To assess the effect of mobile phone intervention on glycaemic control in diabetes self-management. Methods We searched three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) using the following terms: diabetes or diabetes mellitus and mobile phone or cellular phone, or text message.We also manually searched reference lists of relevant papers to identify additional studies. Clinical studies that used mobile phone intervention and reported changes in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values in patients with diabetes were reviewed. The study design, intervention methods, sample size and clinical outcomes were extracted from each trial. The results of the HbA1c change in the trials were pooled using meta-analysis methods. Results A total of 22 trials were selected for the review. Meta-analysis among 1657 participants showed that mobile phone interventions for diabetes self-management reduced HbA1c values by amean of 0.5% [6 mmol / mol; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.7% (4-8 mmol/ mol)] over a median of 6 months follow-up duration. In subgroup analysis, 11 studies among Type 2 diabetes patients reported significantly greater reduction in HbA1c than studies among Type 1 diabetes patients [0.8 (9 mmol/ mol) vs. 0.3% (3 mmol / mol); P = 0.02]. The effect of mobile phone intervention did not significantly differ by other participant characteristics or intervention strategies. Conclusions Results pooled from the included trials provided strong evidence that mobile phone intervention led to statistically significant improvement in glycaemic control and self-management in diabetes care, especially for Type 2 diabetes patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To assess perinatal outcome in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus according to the sex of the fetus. Methods A retrospective review of all singleton pregnancies of women with pregestational diabetes progressing to a gestational age of 22 weeks or more who attended the diabetes and pregnancy clinic from 1981 to 2006 (n = 455). We compared maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes (perinatal mortality, major congenital malformations, small and large for gestational age newborns, preterm birth and a composite of the former) according to the sex of the fetus. A logistic regression analysis was performed using the composite perinatal outcome as the dependent variable and all maternal variables and sex of fetus as potential predictors. Results Maternal characteristics did not differ in mothers of male and female newborns. In the whole cohort, the composite perinatal outcome was significantly higher in male fetuses; adjusted OR 1.61 (95% CI 1.04-2.50). Conclusions In women with pregestational diabetes, perinatal outcome was poorer in male newborns despite similar maternal characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabet. Med. 27, 1280-1283 (2010) Aims To assess oral status in a sample of Type 2 diabetic patients before and after therapy with saliva substitutes and oral status in a control group of diabetic patients who were not given saliva substitutes. Methods Salivary flow rate was determined in 134 patients (mean age 47.9 ± 2.9 years) with Type 2 diabetes. Mean salivary rate was significantly low compared with a healthy control group. The sample of 134 patients was randomly divided into two groups of 67 people each. One group was given immunologically active salivary substitutes for 6 months, the other group was given nothing. Each patient of the two groups underwent a dental and periodontal examination at the beginning of the study and 6 months later. Results As regards carious teeth and teeth loss, there was no statistical difference between the first group after 6 months of treatment with salivary substitutes and the control group ( P > 0.01). Salivary substitutes did not significantly reduce the periodontal disease ( P > 0.01). In the group treated with salivary substitutes, after 6 months of therapy, the average dental plaque index decreased from 2.3 ± 0.73 to 1.6 ± 0.56, patients with gingivitis decreased from 66 to 43% and patients with positive yeast counts decreased from 60 to 37%. These differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.01). Conclusions In Type 2 diabetes, in the case of hyposalivation, a therapy with immunologically active saliva substitutes can be of help in reducing the amount of plaque, gingivitis and positive yeast counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabet. Med. 29, 950-956 (2012) Abstract Aims To determine if an educational DVD increases knowledge and changes attitudes of women with diabetes towards preconception care. Methods Ninety-seven women with diabetes (Type 1, n = 89; Type 2, n = 8), aged 18-40 years, completed a pre-DVD and post-DVD intervention study by postal questionnaire. Beliefs and attitudes associated with preventing an unplanned pregnancy and seeking preconception care were assessed using a validated questionnaire; scales included benefits, barriers, personal attitudes and self-efficacy. Knowledge of pregnancy planning and pregnancy-related risks were assessed by a 22-item questionnaire. Results After viewing the DVD there was significant positive change in women's perceived benefits of, and their personal attitudes to, receiving preconception care and using contraception: change in score post-DVD viewing 0.7 (95% confidence interval 0.3, 1.2), P = 0.003, and 0.8 (0.3, 1.2), P = 0.001, respectively. The DVD significantly improved self-efficacy, that is, self-confidence to use contraception for prevention of an unplanned pregnancy and to access preconception care [3.3 (1.9, 4.7), P < 0.001], and significantly reduced perceived barriers to preconception care [−0.7 (−1.2, −0.2), P = 0.01]. Knowledge of pregnancy planning and pregnancy-related risks increased significantly after viewing the DVD: mean increase was 37.6 ± 20.0%, P < 0.001, and 16.9 ± 21.2%, P < 0.001, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a DVD in increasing knowledge and enhancing attitudes of women with diabetes to preconception care. This DVD could be used as a prepregnancy counselling resource to prepare women with diabetes for pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]