Ethnic differences in the timely diagnosis of children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Netherlands: Clinical presentation at onset

Ethnic differences in the timely diagnosis of children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Netherlands: Clinical presentation at onset

van Laar, J.J.N.
Grishchenko, M.
van Wouwe, J.P.
Stronks, K.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven

2007

Aims: Little is known about ethnic differences in the timely diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM). This study aimed to assess ethnic inequalities in the timely diagnosis of Type 1 DM, as indicated by a more adverse clinical condition at onset. In addition, we assessed whether these differences could be explained by differences in socio-economic status. Methods: From a national register, we selected 3128 children aged < 15 years with newly diagnosed Type 1 DM. Ethnic differences in serum glucose, blood pH, bicarbonate, presence of ketonuria, level of consciousness, hydration status, and diabetic ketoacidosis were assessed by logistic regression. A measure of socio-economic status based on postal codes was used as an explanatory variable. Results: The risk of adverse clinical presentation was 1.5-2 times higher in non-Western immigrants than Dutch children, while Western immigrant children did not differ from Dutch children. Blood pH, bicarbonate level, and level of consciousness were lower in Turkish and Antillean children in particular. The adverse socio-economic position of immigrant children contributed very little to these differences in clinical presentation. Conclusions: Non-Western children were likely to be sicker at first presentation of Type 1 DM, and thus diagnosis may have been delayed. These disparities were not accounted for by differences in socio-economic status. Possible explanations may be difficulties in recognition of symptoms, failure of GPs to take symptom reporting seriously and lack of awareness of the fact that Type 1 DM occurs more often in certain ethnic groups. © 2007 The Authors.

0-19, PZ. In: Etnic inequalities in quality of care for children in the Netherlands, Urbanus-van Laar N. Proefschrift Universiteit van Amsterdam.

Health
Jeugd en Gezondheid
Children
Clinical presentation at onset
Ethnic inequalities
Timely diagnosis
Turkey (republic)
Child
Child, Preschool
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
Ethnic Groups
Female
Humans
Male
Netherlands
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1e30bec6-f29a-4c82-8a22-37e3884bd0cb

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.02063.x

239853

0742-3071

Diabetic Medicine, 24 (3), 296-302

article