Performance of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as a screening test for diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in a high risk population--the Brazilian Xavante Indians.

AIMS: To examine the properties of HbA1c to detect diabetes and IGT in adult Brazilian Xavante Indians, a high risk population for diabetes. METHODS: The survey was carried out between October 2010 and January 2012 and based on a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Basal and 2h capillary glycaemia were measured by HemoCue Glucose 201+; HbA1c using an automated high-performance liquid chromatography analyzer (Tosoh G7). RESULTS: 630 individuals aged ≥ 20 years were examined and 80 had a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (≥ 48 mmol/mol) were 71.3%, 90.5% and 87.2%. The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.88 (95%CI: 0.83-0.93). To identify IGT, HbA1c values between 5.7% and 6.4% (39-47 mmol/mol) presented sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 87.2%, 24.7% and 51.4%, with an AUC of 0.62 (95%CI: 0.57-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The ADA/WHO proposed cut-off of 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) for HbA1c was adequate to detect diabetes among the Xavante. However, the performance of the ADA proposed cut-off points for pre-diabetes, when used to detect IGT was inadequate and should not be recommended.

Dietary fructose, fruits, fruit juices and glucose tolerance status in Japanese-Brazilians.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Evidence suggests that fructose and sweetened beverages may be a risk factor for obesity and type 2 diabetes, but the role of sweetened fruit juices in glucose disturbances has been minimally explored. The aim of this study was to examine the association of total fructose, fresh fruit and sweetened fruit juice intake with glucose tolerance homeostasis in Japanese-Brazilians. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 475 men and 579 women aged >or=30 years were evaluated in a cross-sectional population-based survey with a standardized protocol including a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (WHO criteria). Habitual food consumption was obtained using a validated food frequency questionnaire for Japanese-Brazilians. After adjustments for potential confounding variables, the odds ratio (OR; 95%CI) for impaired glucose tolerance was 2.1 (1.0-4.5; P for trend=0.05) for the highest as compared to the lowest tertile intake of total fructose and 2.3 (1.1-5.1; P for trend=0.05) for the highest as compared to the lowest tertile intake of sweetened fruit juices. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that high intakes of dietary fructose and sweetened fruit juices, but not whole fresh fruits, were associated with impaired glucose tolerance among genetically susceptible individuals.

Analysis of criteria for metabolic syndrome in a population-based study of Japanese-Brazilians.

OBJECTIVE: Criteria for metabolic syndrome (MS) differ particularly regarding the definition of central obesity and consequently, there could be differences in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. We estimated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, compared the agreement of the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria with the standard and a modified National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criterion and investigated whether additional factors were associated with the diagnosis of the syndrome in a Japanese descendant population. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, population-based survey, 1166 Japanese-Brazilians (533 men, 633 women) aged 57.4 +/- 12.4 years with mean body mass index (BMI) and waist of 25.2 +/- 4.0 kg/m(2) and 84.5 +/- 10.6 cm, respectively, were included. McNemar and kappa statistics were used to assess the concordance between WHO criteria with the standard and a modified NCEP criteria (waist of 90 and 80 cm, for men and women, respectively). In logistic regression analysis, a number of metabolic variables and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were included to test independent associations with metabolic syndrome defined by the modified NCEP criteria. RESULTS: According to WHO, 55.4% (95% CI 52.5-58.2%) of the subjects had MS and to NCEP 47.4% (95% CI 44.6-50.0%). WHO criterion detected 48.3% of central obese subjects while NCEP only 14.0%. Kappa statistics showed a good strength of agreement (k = 0.67, p < 0.01) between WHO and NCEP standard definitions of MS. Using the modified NCEP criterion for Asians, more subjects with metabolic syndrome were identified (58%) and agreement with WHO was improved (k = 0.72, p < 0.001). However, similar Framingham risk scores were attributed to the subsets of subjects classified by any of the three criteria. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves, obtained for the modified waist values to diagnose metabolic syndrome according to WHO, were > 0.80 and corresponded, respectively, to sensitivity and specificity of 63 and 83% for men and 77 and 72% for women. In final logistic regression model, age, male sex, BMI and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance but not with albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were independently associated with the syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of MS, independent of the criterion considered, was found in this Japanese-Brazilian population. The replacement of waist cutoff by those proposed by WHO for Asians lead to this diagnosis in a higher number of subjects with elevated cardiovascular risk. Our data did not support that ACR should be included in the classical definition of MS in Japanese descendants as previously suggested by WHO.

Independent impact of glycemia and blood pressure in albuminuria on high-risk subjects for metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria may reflect diffuse endothelial damage. Considering that diabetes and hypertension cause vasculopathy, we investigated associations of albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) with plasma glucose and blood pressure levels in high-risk subjects for metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A sample of 519 (246 men) Japanese-Brazilians (aged 60 +/- 11 years), who participated in a population-based study, had their ACR determined in a morning urine specimen. Backward models of multiple linear regression were created for each gender including log-transformed values of ACR as dependent variable; an interaction term between diabetes and hypertension was included. RESULTS: Macroalbuminuria was found in 18 subjects. ACR mean values for subjects with normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glycemia, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes were 9.9 +/- 6.0, 19.0 +/- 35.4, 20.7 +/- 35.4, and 33.9 +/- 55.0 mg/g, respectively. Diabetic subjects showed higher ACR than the others (p < 0.05). An increase in the proportion of albuminuric subjects was observed as glucose metabolism deteriorated (4.9, 17.0, 23.0 and 36.0%). Stratifying into 4 groups according to postchallenge glycemia (< 7.8 mmol/l, n = 91; > or = 7.8 mmol/l, n = 410) and hypertension, hypertensive and glucose-intolerant subgroups showed higher ACR values. ACR was associated with gender, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma glucose and triglyceride (p < 0.05); albuminuric subjects had significantly higher levels of such variables than the normoalbuminuric ones. In the final models of linear regression, systolic blood pressure and 2-hour glycemia were shown to be independent predictors of ACR for both genders (p < 0.05). In men, also waist was independently associated with ACR. No interaction was detected between "diabetes and hypertension". CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both glucose intolerance and hypertension could have independent but not synergistic effects on endothelial function--reflected by albumin loss in urine. Such hypothesis needs to be confirmed in prospective studies.

Prevalence and 7-year incidence of Type II diabetes mellitus in a Japanese-Brazilian population: an alarming public health problem.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In 1993, the prevalence of glucose intolerance was studied in a sample of 647 first-generation and second-generation Japanese-Brazilians. Their cohort was followed until 2000, when a second survey was conducted, this included the first and second generations, aged 30 or more years. The aims were to estimate the prevalence of glucose intolerance and 7-yr incidence of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in this population. METHODS: Prevalence rates were obtained for 1330 subjects examined in 2000. The incidence of diabetes mellitus was calculated for those classified as normal glucose tolerant in 1993 (n=253). A Student's t test and the Cox proportional hazard model were used in data analysis. RESULTS: In the year 2000, higher proportions of subjects were observed in all categories of glucose intolerance than those found in 1993. The overall incidence of diabetes was 30.9 per 1000 per year. A worse profile was observed among incident cases of diabetes, characterized by higher baseline values of anthropometric and metabolic variables as compared to those who had not developed diabetes. Analysis considering the simultaneous effects of demographic, nutritional and metabolic variables and physical activity levels for the development of diabetes showed that age, sex, waist circumference, fasting and 2-h plasma glucose concentrations were independent predictors. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Our data point towards a worsening of glucose tolerance status among Japanese-Brazilians, who show one of the highest prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus worldwide. This could reflect their strong genetic susceptibility associated with unfavourable environmental conditions.

Capture-recapture method to estimate lower extremity amputation rates in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate rates of lower extremity amputations (LEAs) in persons with peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, trauma, neoplasm, osteomyelitis, or emphysematous gangrene. METHODS: Regional amputee registries were used to estimate the rate of lower extremity amputations with the capture-recapture (CR) technique. Data were extracted from three amputee registries in Rio de Janeiro: source 1, with 1,191 cases from 23 hospitals; source 2, with 157 cases from a limb-fitting center; and source 3, with 34 cases from a rehabilitation center. Amputee death certificates from source 1 identified 257 deaths from 1992 to 1994. Three CR models were evaluated using sources 2 and 3. In order to avoid an overestimation of the rate of LEAs, two models were applied for the data analysis: in one case, deceased patients listed in source 1 were excluded from the model, and in the other case, deceased patients were included as well. RESULTS: Excluding the 257 deaths, the estimated number of amputations in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from 1992 to 1994 was 3,954, for a mean annual incidence rate of 13.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Among persons with diabetes, the annual incidence rate of lower extremity amputations was substantially higher (180.6 per 100,000 persons per year), representing 13 times the risk of individuals without diabetes. The yearly rate of LEAs according to the routine surveillance system was estimated at 5.4 and 96.9 per 100,000 in the general population and in diabetics, respectively. If data from the three registries are added, 1,382 patients with LEAs were identified, with the reasons for the amputations distributed as follows: peripheral vascular disease = 804 (58.1%); diabetes mellitus = 379 (27.4%); trauma = 103 (7.4%); osteomyelitis = 44 (3.1%); gangrene = 36 (2.6%), and neoplasm = 16 (1.1%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show a high incidence of LEAs in Brazil, when compared to countries such as Spain, that is attributable mainly to peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus.

[The relationship between oral habits and malocclusion in preschool children]. / Relação entre hábitos bucais e má oclusão em pré-escolares.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the way oral habits and speech problems affect dental occlusion in preschool children. METHODS: A random sample of 2,139 boys and girls aged 3-5 years old was evaluated. The children were enrolled in private and state institutions in the city of Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil. The cross-sectional study was developed in two steps: occlusion assessment, and a questionnaire about their social and economic status. The occlusal anatomical-functional characteristics assessment was done according to Angle classification. Additionally, overjet, overbite, crowding, anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, and anterior crossbite were evaluated. A sub-sample of 618 children filled out the questionnaire. The prevalence of malocclusion and some variables of exposure were tested by bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of malocclusion was 51.3% for boys and 56.9% for girls. There was no difference related to gender. In regard to age, there was a higher prevalence of malocclusion in the 3 year-old group, which decreased significantly with age (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the environmental factors evaluated, the habit of sucking a pacifier was the most important in the association with malocclusion (OR=5.46) followed by the habit of sucking fingers (OR=1.54). Speech problems did not show any influence in malocclusion occurrence.

Dietary patterns in a high-risk population for glucose intolerance. Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group.

We evaluated dietary habits as risk factor for glucose intolerance in a high risk population of Japanese-Brazilians enrolled in a study on the prevalence of diabetes (DM). Based on oral glucose tolerance test and WHO criteria, 331 had normal tolerance (NGT), 88 impaired tolerance (IGT) and 83 had type 2 DM (51 self-reported, 32 newly diagnosed diabetics). Clinical, laboratory and dietary data, assessed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), were compared between the NGT group and another composed of IGT and newly diagnosed DM (disturbed glucose tolerance or DGT group). Associations of total energy intake and nutrient intakes with glucose intolerance were analyzed by logistic regression. Also, subjects with NGT and DGT entered into separate models of multiple linear regression including BMI as the dependent variable, and total energy intake or each nutrient as independent variables. DGT group showed higher waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, plasma glucose and insulin levels and worse lipid profile. Total energy intake, macronutrients, fibers, alcohol and saturated fat intakes did not differ between groups; DGT was not associated with any nutrient intake in multivariate analyses. BMI of the subjects with DGT but not with NGT was associated with protein and cholesterol intakes in linear regression analysis. Our findings did not support an association between nutritional factors and glucose intolerance even in subjects who are unaware of their DGT, using FFQ to reflect current habits. However, we suggest that protein and cholesterol intakes may be markers of increased BMI. Despite assuming that obesity and insulin resistance precedes DM, FFQ may not be useful in the assessment of unfavorable dietary patterns among subjects at risk for glucose intolerance, such as Japanese-Brazilians with elevated BMI.

Weight gain in adulthood and risk of developing glucose tolerance disturbance: a study of a Japanese-Brazilian population. Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group.

We examined the data from 530 subjects enrolled in a survey on the prevalence of diabetes in a Japanese-Brazilian population aged 40-79 years. Past self-reported and current weight values were analysed. Student t test was used to compare anthropometric measures between subjects with and without disturbance of glucose tolerance (DGT), hypertension and dyslipidemia. Point and interval estimates of the weight at 20 years-, age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR) were obtained by logistic regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between these diseases and the percent weight gain. Subjects with DGT, hypertension or dyslipidemia tended to have higher BMI during adulthood and to gain more weight in a shorter interval of time. Also, they presented higher waist-to-hip ratio and plasma glucose and worse lipid profile. OR were consistent with associations between chronic diseases and percent weight gain. Trend test of OR indicated that the risk of developing DGT alone or combined with hypertension and abdominal obesity increased 2% and 15% by percent unit of gained weight, respectively, as compared with those subjects with stable weight. Weight gain and the rate by which this occurs during lifetime may confer increased risk of chronic diseases. We suggested that preventive measures against obesity, i.e. the maintenance of healthy body weight lifelong, are necessary to minimize the occurrence of these diseases, also among migrant populations such as the Japanese-Brazilians.

Comparison of glucose tolerance categories according to World Health Organization and American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria in a population-based study in Brazil. The Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of different categories of glucose tolerance in a Japanese-Brazihan population using World Health Organization (WHO) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) diagnostic criteria. RESEARCH DIVISION AND METHODS: The analyses were based on the data obtained from a study conducted in a representative sample of the Japanese-Brazilian population composed of 647 subjects (40-79 years) who were submitted to a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. Prevalence of glucose tolerance categories and the level of agreement (K statistics) were obtained using WHO and ADA criteria. Cardiovascular risk profile of the subjects with different diagnostic categories were compared. RESULTS: Similar prevalences of diabetes were found considering both criteria (WHO, 20.3%; ADA, 19.2%). The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) by WHO criteria was 14.7%, contrasting with 7.4% of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) by ADA criteria. Subjects with discordant diagnostic categories by the criteria, considered at risk for diabetes (IGT/IFG), showed a worse metabolic profile than the concordant normal subjects. However, subjects with discordant diagnoses who had IGT or diabetes by WHO criteria but who were normal by ADA criteria exhibited a higher number of cardiovascular risk factors (higher blood pressure and triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol) than those who were discordant (IFG/diabetes) by ADA criteria but normal by WHO criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of diabetic subjects was similar between the criteria, those identified as being at risk for diabetes were quite distinct. Fewer subjects were classified as having IFG by ADA criteria than as having IGT by WHO criteria. Abnormal glucose tolerance based on WHO criteria seems to identify a worse cardiovascular profile than abnormal tolerance based on ADA criteria. Follow-up studies are necessary to know the prognostic significance of IFG to predict subsequent diabetes.

[Diabetes as primary or associated cause of death in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 1992]. / Diabetes como causa básica ou associada de morte no estado de São Paulo, Brazil, 1992.

INTRODUCTION: Analysis of mortality data are usually performed with reference to the underlying cause of death. The importance of diabetes as a cause of death is always underestimated, because diabetics generally die from chronic complications of the disease, these being considered as the underlying cause of the death. To attenuate this problem, mortality data should be analyzed on the basis of all the causes listed on the death certificate. Frequency of references to diabetes on death certificates and the principal associated causes were evaluated as a contribution to the solution of this problem. METHODOLOGY: Specific death rates and proportional mortality by diabetes, as underlying or associated cause, were calculated on the basis of information derived from death certificates by the ACME program (Automated Classification of Medical Entities), for the State of S. Paulo, in 1992. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of a total of 202,141 deaths, diabetes was mentioned in 13,786 (6.8%) and as being the underlying cause in 5,305(2.6%). The proportion was higher for women than men (10.1 vs. 4.6% as mentioned, and 6.1 vs 2.9% as underlying cause). Among deaths with a mention of diabetes on the certificate, the main underlying causes were: diabetes (38.5%), cardiovascular (37.2%) and respiratory (8.5%) diseases, and neoplasias (4.8%). When diabetes was the underlying cause, the main associated causes were: cardiovascular (42.2%), respiratory (10.7%) and genitourinary (10.1%) diseases. When diabetes was an associated cause, the main underlying causes were: cardiovascular (60.5%) and respiratory (13.8%) diseases, and neoplasias (7.9%). In spite of the limitation of the data from death certificates, it is possible to observe the importance of diabetes as cause of death, reflecting its magnitude as a health problem. Also, the analysis by multiple causes of deaths gives an idea of the morbidity profile associated with diabetes at the time of death, showing the importance of the group of cardiovascular diseases.

[Increase in mortality associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus in Japanese-Brazilians]. / Incremento na mortalidade associada à presença de diabetes mellitus em nipo-brasileiros. Grupo de Estudo de Diabetes em Nipo-Brasileiros.

OBJECTIVE: As part of a study involving Japanese migrants, living in a developed city in the state of S. Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, a four-year experience of mortality among diabetic and non-diabetic subjects is described and their respective death rates are compared. In 1993, a cohort of 530 Japanese-Brazilians (236 issei or 1st generation and 294 nisei or 2nd generation) of both sexes, aged 40 from to 79 years old, were identified. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: At that time, 91 (17%) were classified as non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects (NIDDM), 90 (17%) with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 349 (66%) as normal, according to WHO criteria. In 1996, families were questioned with a view detecting the deaths which had occurred among the subjects previously studied. This information, in addition to that from death certificates was used to record the date and the causes of death. Mortality rates for all causes and for specific causes (circulatory and renal diseases) were obtained for the three groups of subjects, by glucose tolerance status. Proportional hazard regression models were used to compare the mortality rates, adjusted for several covariables (gender, age, generation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and serum creatinine). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Crude mortality rate ratios for all causes and specific causes, for NIDDM, and normal subjects were 2.95 (95% CI: 1.10-7.62) and 4.57 (95% CI: 1.31-16.48), respectively. No difference was observed between the crude mortality rate ratio for IGT and normal subjects. After simultaneous adjustments for the covariates, higher mortality rates for specific causes were observed among NIDDM than in the normal subjects (mortality rates ratio: 3.86; 95% CI: 1.11-13.38). These results in Japanese-Brazilians are consistent with previous reports of increased mortality in other diabetic subjects, thus confirming the adverse effect of this metabolic disturbance on mortality among diabetic subjects.

Fasting plasma glucose is a useful test for the detection of gestational diabetes. Brazilian Study of Gestational Diabetes (EBDG) Working Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fasting plasma glucose as a screening test for states of gestational diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Baseline data of a cohort conducted in general prenatal care units in Brazil, enrolling 5,579 women aged > or = 20 years with gestational ages of 24-28 weeks at the time of testing and no previous diagnosis of diabetes. A standardized 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 5,010 women. Gestational diabetes and its subcategories--diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance--were defined according to the 1994 World Health Organization panel recommendations. We evaluated screening properties of calculated sensitivity and specificity for fasting plasma glucose with receiver operator characteristic curves. RESULTS: For detection of the subcategory diabetes, a fasting plasma glucose of 89 mg/dl jointly maximizes sensitivity (88%) and specificity (78%), identifying 22% of the women as test-positive. For detection of impaired glucose tolerance, a value of 85 mg/dl jointly maximizes sensitivity and specificity (68%), identifying as test-positive 35% of the women. Lowering the cut point to 81 mg/dl increases sensitivity to 81%, but decreases specificity to 54%, labeling as test-positive 49% of the women. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting plasma glucose is a useful test for the screening of both subcategories of gestational diabetes, a threshold of 85 mg/dl being an acceptable option. Effective screening for the subcategory diabetes can be achieved using a cut point of 89 mg/dl. If greater emphasis is placed on the detection of impaired glucose tolerance, a lower value, 81 mg/dl, may be needed.

Is insulin or its precursor independently associated with hypertension? An epidemiological study in Japanese-Brazilians.

Japanese individuals living outside Japan are more susceptible to chronic diseases included in the insulin resistance syndrome. Hyperinsulinemia and hypertension are associated, but large studies adjusting for confounders are still required. The present evaluated if insulin (I) or proinsulin (PI) was associated with hypertension after adjustment for other risk factors, in first (n=238) and second (n=292) generation Japanese-Brazilians, aged 40 to 79 years, living in a developed city in Brazil. Blood pressure (BP) was measured by random-zero sphygmomanometry. People with mean systolic/diastolic BP >140/90 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive drugs were considered hypertensive. Diagnosis of diabetes was based on results of an oral glucose tolerance test using WHO criteria. I and PI after fasting and 2 hours after glucose load were determined by specific immunofluorimetric assays. The first generation was older than the second (65.6+/-9.2 versus 53.6+/-8.4 years, P<.01) and male/female ratios were 1.14 and 0.87, respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 29.2% with no difference between sexes or generations. Higher body mass index (25.2+/-4.3 versus 23.8+/-3.3 kg/m2), waist-to-hip ratio (0.939+/-0.067 versus 0.919+/-0.073), plasma glucose (6.3+/-2.3 versus 5.6+/-1.8 mmol/L), cholesterol (5.74+/-1.19 versus 5.48+/-1.08 mmol/L), and creatinine (74+/-26 versus 83+/-36 micromol/L) were found among the hypertensives (P<.05). Univariate analyses showed associations of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia with hypertension. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that 2-hour I (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.46) and fasting PI (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.31) remained significantly associated with hypertension, after adjustment for age, sex, generation, family history of hypertension, smoking habits, waist-to-hip ratio, serum creatinine, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. Japanese-Brazilians have a higher prevalence of hypertension than the general population in Brazil. High levels of 2-hour I, seen in hypertensives, may be interpreted as independent risk factors for hypertension in this population. Our findings suggest that fasting PI should be useful, in addition to insulin, to assess risk factors for hypertension in epidemiological studies.

[Comparison of 5 methods to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in population-based studies]. / Comparación de cinco métodos para estimar la prevalencia de diabetes mellitus en estudios de base poblacional.

To aid in the search for more practical and reliable methods for use in population-based studies of diabetes mellitus, this article compares five ways of estimating prevalence rates. The analysis was performed on secondary data from a cross-sectional study of a cluster sample of the adult population in nine state capitals in Brazil. The original study was carried out from 1986 to 1988. The 21,846 participants were classified as diabetic or not diabetic by five different methods: household questionnaires administered to the entire sample population (M1); individual questionnaires administered to the selected population (M2); measurement of fasting glucose levels in capillary blood, with levels > or = 120 mg/dL as the cutoff (M3); individual questionnaire and fasting capillary blood glucose > or = 120 mg/dL (M4); and individual questionnaire plus fasting capillary blood glucose > or = 120 mg/dL and capillary glucose 2 hours after oral glucose loading > or = 200 mg/dL (M5). Agreement between the methods was determined by comparison of the rates obtained and use of the kappa coefficient. The age-adjusted prevalence rates of diabetes varied according to the method used. Values obtained with M1 were lower than those indicated by M2; M3 values were higher than M2 values, except in the age group 60-69 years; and with M5 the rates were higher than with M4, except among persons 30-39 years old. With regard to the age-adjusted rates found by the various methods, M1 detected 84% of the M2 estimate, M2 detected 91% of the M3, M3 detected 70% of the M4, and M4 detected 86% of the M5. Previously diagnosed diabetes cases accounted for 64% and 55% of the totals estimated by M4 and M5, respectively. Kappa values were at least 0.70 for M1 compared against M2, M1 against M4, M2 against M4, and M3 against M4. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that the questionnaires used in M1 and M2 constituted appropriate methods for detecting previously diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus, and their use is recommended for the purposes of health services planning or evaluation. Fasting glucose measurement (M3) as the sole method did not show a significant advantage over the individual questionnaire (M2). Of the combined or multiple methods, fasting glucose together with the individual questionnaire (M4) was efficient in comparison to M5, which incorporated measurement of blood glucose 2 hours after oral glucose ingestion.

[Prevalence of dental caries in children from 0 to 6 years old attending nursery: the influence of socioeconomic factors]. / Prevalência de cárie dentária em crianças da faixa etária de 0 a 6 anos matriculadas em creches: importância de fatores socioeconômicos.

Oral health condition in samples of children from zero to six years old, examined in day nurseries for children from Bauru and S. Paulo County (Brazil) by the caries indicator in primary dentition-dmfs, is assessed. The first group did not receive oral health care where any as the second group received the standard oral care provided by the institution. Variables related to way of life and their relationship to the presence of caries were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis showed a statistically significant association of age and frequency of dental visits with the prevalence of dental caries (p < 0.05). The data also showed that 23.3% of the children from Bauru, and 9.3% of those from S. Paulo were free of caries, numbers that are very far from the 50% proposed by WHO for the year 2000. The overall prevalence of dental caries was greater for the Bauru group than for the S. Paulo group; however, statistical significance was only found in the 3-4 age-group (p < 0.05). Sex differences in the occurrence of dental caries were not statistically significant.

Proinsulin and insulin levels according to glucose tolerance among Japanese-Brazilians, aged 40-79 years. Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group.

This study of the Japanese-Brazilians living in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil, aimed at determining the prevalence of DM in the first (Issei) and second (Nisei) generations, according to WHO criteria. Insulin and proinsulin were determined by new immunofluorimetric assays (IMFA), that measure true insulin and intact proinsulin, at fasting and 2 h after glucose load. The data showed a very scattered distribution, so only medians are shown and no statistical testing applied. There was a tendency for higher proinsulin levels in the diabetic groups. The highest fasting proinsulin levels were seen in the diabetic patients, either obese or non-obese. The post-load insulin levels were higher in diabetic and IGT individuals, compared to normals. Both generations showed a distinct behaviour for the obese and non-obese groups, and no major differences were observed between generations. This population seems to be sensitive to environmental changes, since the obese groups showed the higher levels of proinsulin and insulin. In the evaluation of the role of the environmental factors in the pathogenesis of DM, proinsulin and insulin levels could act as early markers of pancreatic dysfunctions.

Diabetes in Japanese-Brazilians--influence of the acculturation process.

Epidemiologic studies of migrant populations provide very promising clues towards understanding the roles of genetics and environmental factors in the etiology of diabetes mellitus. Populations of Japanese ancestry are of particular interest due to marked differences in prevalence rates of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) when comparing those living in Japan with those who migrated to western countries. Brazil offers very favorable conditions of the study of diabetes in the Japanese origin population. Presently, Brazil has the largest population of Japanese ancestry outside Japan. A cross-sectional study comparing first (Issei) and second (Nisei) generations of Japanese-Brazilians living in the city of Bauru, in the industrialized state of São Paulo, southeast of Brazil, was carried out between May and November 1993. The study sample consisted of all first generation (127 men and 111 women) and a random sample of second generation (136 men and 156 women) aged 40-79 years. Results show that: 1--The prevalence of diabetes in Japanese Brazilians (12.8 and 16.2% for first and second generations) are higher than the rates reported for Japan at comparable age-groups. 2--Comparing generations, the age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes was higher in the second generation only for men (men: 12.4 vs. 21.7%; women: 11.6 vs. 11.4%). 3--Obesity was more prevalent in the second generation among men (Men: 34.6 vs. 45.7% women, 39.6 vs. 40.8%).

Disturbances of glucose and lipid metabolism in first and second generation Japanese-Brazilians. Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group.

Increased prevalence of self-reported NIDDM in Japanese-Brazilians was reported when compared to Japan. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of NIDDM and IGT in Japanese-Brazilians living in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. The impact of western environment on the frequency of obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension was investigated. All Issei (first generation; n = 238) and a random sample of Nisei (second generation; n = 292), aged 40-79 years, were selected for clinical examination and OGTT (WHO criteria). Age-adjusted prevalence of NIDDM did not differ between men and women for Issei (12.4 vs. 11.6%, respectively), but it became different for Nisei (21.7 vs. 11.4%, P < 0.03) due to an increased rate among men. Increased IGT prevalence was also observed between Issei and Nisei men (8.5 vs. 19.3%, P < 0.03). Issei women had a higher IGT rate than Issei men (27. 3 vs. 8.5%, P < 0.0005). Body mass index (BMI) was higher in the second generation (24.1 +/- 3.6 vs. 23.3 +/- 3.1 kg/m2, P < 0.00005) and also the frequency of obesity, defined as BMI > 25 kg/m2. Comparison of waist/hip ratio by gender showed that only among women, Nisei had lower ratio than Issei (0.90 vs. 0.88, P < 0.05). Nisei had a lower total and LDL-cholesterol than Issei but triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol did not differ. Nisei women (younger than the Issei) had lower triglyceride and total cholesterol. This pattern was not seen between the two generations of men. Considering the mean blood pressure values, Issei and Nisei groups with normal glucose tolerance were not hypertensive. Systolic blood pressure was lower in Nisei and the inverse was found concerning diastolic levels. NIDDM prevalence in Japanese-Brazilians is higher than in Japan and in the general Brazilian population. Besides environment, genetic factors may confer susceptibility to NIDDM when they are exposed to a western environment. Before developing glucose intolerance, disturbances of lipid profile and blood pressure could be detected. Nisei may be more affected due to a longer exposure to an unfavorable environment and these changes seem to occur earlier among men than women.