Association between HOMA‐B and A1C levels in Haitian Americans with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

This study examined the association of pancreatic β‐cell function assessed by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C), and determined whether this association varies by gender in Haitian Americans with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The cross‐sectional study included 77 Haitian Americans (males=32 & females=45). Participants were recruited from multiple sources from Miami‐Dade and Broward Counties, Florida. Fasting plasma glucose, A1C, and insulin levels were measured in fasting blood. Analyses included t‐test, chi‐square, Pearson's correlations and linear regression. Males had significantly lower HOMA‐B function (P=.032) and BMI (P=.007) compared to females. Regression analyses showed that after controlling for covariates, the association between HOMA‐B with A1C was only significant for Haitian American males (β= −1.625, SE=−.070, P=.001). The model explained 27.9% of the variability in A1C. A one unit decrease in HOMA‐B increased the A1C levels 1.6%. Assessment of both HOMA‐B and A1C could be a better predictor for diabetes care among Haitian Americans. Funding for this research was provided through an NIH/NIDDK sponsored grant.