Aims We carried out a survey of important nonclinical issues including awareness and self-management of diabetes on a group of South Asian and Caucasian patients attending diabetic clinics within a set period. Methods A structured questionnaire examined various issues including demographics, perceived knowledge and awareness of diabetes, perceived self-help/ support, and psycho-social factors. A total of 500 patients (268 South Asians and 232 Caucasian) took part. Results Univariate analysis showed significant differences (Po0.05) with various issues including a lower perceived awareness of diabetes and its complications in South Asians, and of the nutritional content of their diet. Asians also appeared to be less worried in the event of missed clinical appointments and if treatment was not strictly adhered to. Conclusions The study provides evidence of the inability of health information systems to convey the importance of diabetic control to the Asian population. In order that this important information reaches the required recipients, more assertive and perhaps more culturally acceptable methods need to be explored.

Abstract. Kalk WJ,

Aim To analyse the clinical characteristics of patients on the Bradford Low Vision Register with regards to the type (partially sighted or blind), sex, race, causes and age at registration. Methods All the data were obtained from the Morley Street Resource Centre, which keeps records of all registrations in the Bradford Metropolitan District. Information including postcode, date of birth, age, gender, ethnic group, degree, date of registration, cause of registration and age at registration were entered into a database. Results Of all registrations, 64% were blind and 36% were partially sighted. Asians were younger at registration and there were a significantly lower number of females compared to Caucasians. When data were analysed for the different age groups, in the older group of over 65 years, Asians showed significantly more diabetic retinopathy (26.1%) compared to Asians (7.8%), while Caucasians demonstrated significantly more glaucoma (C: 29.3%; A: 17.4%). In the younger age group (Ͻ30 years), the leading causes for Asians were retinitis pigmentosa and nystagmus while for Caucasians it was congenital cataracts and optic atrophy. The proportion of Asians registered was significantly lower than expected from the projected population estimates in Bradford. Conclusions The study indicates significant differences in the clinical profiles of the two racial groups. The data do not follow the predictions from published population estimates, with Asians, especially females, being under-represented in the register.

Aims To examine diabetic retinopathy in Asians and Caucasians attending a hospital diabetic clinic and to evaluate the impact of the significant risk factors on the probability of sight-threatening retinopathy. Methods A total of 500 diabetic patients (268 Asians, 232 Caucasians) who attended a diabetic clinic within a defined time period were examined for severity of diabetic retinopathy. The existence of sight-threatening retinopathy (STR) was compared in the two groups. Significant risk factors such as age, duration and hypertension were analysed against the probability of STR in each of the two races. Results Asians demonstrated significantly higher rates of STR. Univariate analysis showed age, duration, race, gender, and insulin-requiring status to be significantly associated with STR. Multivariate logistic regression showed a significant association of STR with race, age and duration of diabetes, with no significant interaction effects between variables. The logistic regression model predicted STR in Asians to be matched to that in Caucasians by a 12.5-year difference factor; that is, Caucasians were older by 12.5 years or had a 12.5-year longer duration than Asians for the same level of STR. Conclusions After adjusting for age and duration of diabetes, the probability of STR in Asian diabetic patients attending the diabetic clinics in Bradford is significantly higher than that in Caucasians (odds ratio ¼ 3.184, Po0.05). The impact of age and duration was significantly higher in patients of South Asian origin compared to Caucasians.

No abstract