Abstract P127: Racial Disparities in Risk Factor Control in Older Adults with Diabetes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Background: Racial disparities in risk factor control have been documented in middle-aged adults, but much less is known about older adults with diabetes. Our findings will inform clinical guidelines on appropriate risk factor control in older adults with diabetes. Methods: In 2011-13, 6,538 ARIC participants attended visit 5, and 4,988 provided data on all key covariates used in these analyses. Of these, 31% had diagnosed diabetes (N=1,561, 72% white, mean age=75 years) and were included in this study. Tight control of risk factors was defined according to American Diabetes Association guidelines: hemoglobin A1c <7%; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL; systolic blood pressure (BP) <140 mmHg and diastolic BP <80 mmHg. We evaluated risk factor control overall and by race. We used logistic regression and predictive margins to assess independent associations of race with tight risk factor control. Results: Among older adults with diabetes, 64% used glucose-lowering medication, 70% lipid-lowering medication and 82% BP-lowering medication. Only 5% of participants did not take medication for any of these risk factors. Tight control was observed in 72% for glucose, 64% for lipids and 70% for BP. Only 34% had tight control of all three. A higher proportion of whites than blacks consistently achieved tight control ( Figure ). In multivariable analyses of persons with diabetes who were treated for risk factors, racial disparities in tight control of lipids and BP remained significant: adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% CIs (white vs black) were 1.04 (0.91, 1.17) for glucose, 1.21 (1.08-1.34) for lipids, 1.15 (1.03-1.26) for BP, and 1.33 (0.95, 1.70) for tight control of all three risk factors. Conclusions: Our results highlight racial disparities in risk factor control in older adults with diabetes that were not explained by demographic or clinical characteristics. Further studies are needed to elucidate the determinants of disparities in risk factor control and strategies to address these.