Changes of glucose levels precede dementia in African-Americans with diabetes but not in Caucasians

Alzheimers Dement. 2018 Dec;14(12):1572-1579. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.03.008. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

Abstract

Introduction: Changes in glucose levels may represent a powerful metabolic indicator of dementia in African-Americans with diabetes. It is unclear whether these changes also occur in Caucasians.

Methods: A secondary data analysis using electronic medical records from 5228 African-Americans and Caucasians aged ≥65 years was carried out. Mixed effects models with repeated serum glucose measurements were used to compare changes in glucose levels between African-Americans and Caucasian patients with and without incident dementia.

Results: African-Americans and Caucasians with diabetes had significantly different changes in glucose levels by dementia status (P < .0001). African-Americans experienced a significant decline in glucose levels before the dementia diagnosis (estimated glucose decline 1.3421 mg/dL per year, P < .0001) than those who did not develop dementia. Caucasians with and without dementia showed stable glucose levels over time (P = .3071).

Discussion: Significant changes in glucose levels precede dementia in African-American patients with diabetes but not in Caucasians.

Keywords: African-Americans; Alzheimer's disease; Caucasians; Dementia; Diabetes; Early detection; Electronic medical records; Glucose levels; Longitudinal risk factors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Black or African American*
  • Comorbidity
  • Dementia / epidemiology
  • Dementia / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • White People*

Substances

  • Glucose