ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the level of self-management and daily physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of Zang and Han nationalities in Tibetan, China, and to compare the difference in daily management between T2DM patients of Zang and Han nationalities, to develop reasonable and effective chronic disease management strategies for long-term out-of-hospital management of T2DM patients of Zang nationalities.Methods:A total of 265 T2DM patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7% who were admitted to the Endocrinology Ward of the Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region from November 2020 to April 2021 and who were from different regions of Tibet were included in this study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The general data of all included patients were collected. Glucose and lipid metabolism-related indicators were determined. The Generalized Diabetes Self-Management Efficacy Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) were used to evaluate patients' levels of self-management and daily physical activity.Results:The hemoglobin level in T2DM patients of Zang nationality was (154.09 ± 24.11) g/L, which was significantly higher than that in T2DM patients of Han nationality ( P < 0.05). The total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and low-density lipoprotein in T2DM patients of Zang nationality were (4.63 ± 1.41) mmol/L, (7.94 ± 2.19) mmol/L, and (2.75 ± 1.11) mmol/L, respectively, which significantly higher compared with T2DM patients of Han nationality (all P < 0.05). Compared with T2DM patients of Han nationality, T2DM patients of Zang nationality had lower self-management scores (81.40 ± 15.44) points, diet control scores (17.26 ± 4.97) points, physical exercise scores (11.67 ± 4.42) points, prevention and treatment of high and low blood sugar score (12.21 ± 5.72) points. The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Moderate-intensity physical activity was a significant difference between T2DM patients of Zang and Han nationalities ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:Compared with T2DM patients of Han nationality, T2DM patients of Zang nationality have lower overall self-management levels, including diet control, physical exercise, prevention and management of high and low blood glucose, and moderate-intensity physical activity. Targeted individualized education should be carried out according to the Tibetan cultural characteristics, to further develop an intervention method and an out-of-hospital management strategy for chronic disease, which are suitable for T2DM patients of Zang nationality.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients in Tibet.Methods:A total of 239 patients with DR who received treatment in Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region from December 2017 to December 2018 were included in this study. They were divided into Han nationality and Zang nationality groups according to ethnicity. The condition of DR was evaluated with nonmydriatic ocular fundus photography according to the staging criteria of the severity of retinopathy.Results:The prevalence of DR in Tibet was 18.0％. The prevalence of DR in Tibetan and Han patients with diabetes was 17.5% and 19.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of DR between Tibetan and Han patients with diabetes ( χ2 = 0.10, P = 0.754). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors of developing DR in Tibet included diabetes duration ( OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05-1.24, P < 0.05), insulin therapy ( OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.09-6.89, P < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose ( OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07-1.75, P < 0.05) and hypertension ( OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.02-3.86, P < 0.05). Diabetes duration and fasting plasma glucose are independent risk factors of DR. However, although elevated glycated hemoglobin levels were high in Tibet, they could not be used to predict the risk for developing DR ( OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.82-1.25, P > 0.05). Conclusion:Hyperglycemia is an important risk factor of developing DR in Tibet. However, elevated glycated hemoglobin levels cannot be used to predict the risk of developing DR in Tibet. Findings from this study fill the gap in the research on DR prevalence and ethic difference of DR prevalence, providing scientific evidence for prevention and treatment of DR in high-altitude areas.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To identify differences in association among visceral fat, body mass index, and waist circumference in Hans and Tibetans, and to investigate the associations between visceral adipose tissue and adipokine concentrations in the two ethnics.Methods:This is a mono-centric, cross-sectional observational study including 148 Hans and 150 Tibetans between 18 and 65 years old. The multivariate regression analysis was used in the study.Results:After adjustment of confounders, every 1 kg/m 2 increment of body mass index was coexisted with a larger increment of visceral adipose tissue in Han ethnic group than that in Tibetan [ β: 6.87(95% CI 4.25-9.49) vs 4.84(95% CI 2.57-7.11), P<0.01]. And increased waist circumference with 1 cm was accompanied by larger increment of visceral adipose tissue in Hans than in Tibetans [ β: 4.02(95% CI 3.15-4.89) vs 2.06(95% CI 1.75-3.44), P<0.01]. Tibetan ethnic group had higher levels of adiponectin and leptin than Han ethnic group [(57.06±32.52 vs 75.56±43.95) ng/ml, P<0.01; (98.55±100.46 vs 124.83±111.97) pg/ml, P=0.024]. After adjustment, significant association was documented between adiponectin levels and the presence of metabolic syndrome in Tibetans ( OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P=0.007), whereas no association was observed in Hans ( OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-1.01, P=0.268). Conclusions:The ethnicity significantly affects the adipose distribution, with the same increase of body mass index or waist circumference, the Tibetans′ increase of visceral adipose tissue is less than that of Hans. The two ethnic groups may have their own unique metabolic characteristics.