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

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Changes in glucose levels may represent a powerful metabolic indicator for 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 65 years and older. 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<0.0001). African Americans experienced a significant decline in glucose levels before the dementia diagnosis (estimated glucose decline 1.3421 mg/dL per year, p<0.0001) than those who did not develop dementia. Caucasians with and without dementia showed stable glucose levels over time (p=0.3071).

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