High prevalence of elevated haemoglobin A1C among adolescent blood donors: Results from a voluntary screening programme including 31,546 adolescents

M. Odette Gore, Stephen J. Eason, Colby R. Ayers, Aslan T Turer, Amit Khera, James A de Lemos, Darren K McGuire, Merlyn H Sayers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

More than 1 in 10 US adolescents have prediabetes or diabetes, and elevated glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) in youth is associated with increased risk of death before the age of 55 years. We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study of 31,546 consecutive volunteer blood donors, 16-19 years of age, who donated blood during school blood drives between 1 September 2011 and 21 December 2012 in Texas. In the overall cohort, the prevalence of elevated HbA1C was 11.5%, including 11.0% in the prediabetes range (HbA1C 5.7%-6.4%) and 0.5% in the diabetes range (HbA1C ≥ 6.5%). The prevalence of elevated HbA1C was higher in boys compared with girls (15.7% vs 7.9%, p < 0.001) and was especially high in racial/ethnic minorities (Blacks 32.7%, Asians 19.7%, Hispanics 13.1%) compared with Whites (8.0%, p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in total cholesterol and blood pressure across categories of increasing HbA1C in the overall cohort and stratified by sex and race/ethnicity. Blood donation programmes can serve as unique portals for health screening with potential for intervention in adolescents.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)272-278
Number of pages7
JournalDiabetes and Vascular Disease Research
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 11 2015

Keywords

  • Glycosylated haemoglobin
  • diabetes
  • prediabetes
  • prevention

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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