Factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes among adults with diabetes: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Abstract

AimsTo investigate sociodemographic and health factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes among adults with diabetes in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). MethodsAmong 3384 adults with self-reported diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes in the baseline HCHS/SOL, we estimated odds ratios (OR) of being undiagnosed for demographic, cultural, access to care, and health factors. ResultsAmong individuals with diabetes, 37.0% were undiagnosed. After adjustment and compared to people of Mexican heritage, people of Cuban and South American heritage had 60% (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.02–2.50) and 91% (OR = 1.91, 1.16–3.14) higher odds of being undiagnosed, respectively. Individuals with a higher odds of being undiagnosed were women (OR = 1.64, 1.26–2.13), those with no health insurance (OR = 1.31, 1.00–1.71), individuals who received no healthcare in the past year (OR = 3.59, 2.49–5.16), those who were overweight (vs. normal weight) (OR = 1.60, 1.02–2.50), and those with dyslipidemia (OR = 1.38, 1.10–1.74). Individuals with lower odds of being undiagnosed were those with a family history of diabetes (OR = 0.54, 0.43–0.68), and those with hypertension (OR = 0.46, 0.36–0.58). ConclusionsVariation by Hispanic heritage group, sex, and access to medical care highlight where concentrated efforts are need to improve diabetes awareness. Our findings will inform clinical and public health practices to improve diabetes awareness among vulnerable populations.