Trends in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its association with mortality rates in Asians vs. Whites: Results from the United States National Health Interview Survey from 2000 to 2014

Aims: To identify the prevalence and mortality of type 2 diabetes in Asian Americans (Asians) vs. non-Hispanic whites (Whites). Methods: We analyzed a nationally representative sample of 237,354 U.S. adults aged ≥30 years using National Health Interview Survey data from 2000 to 2014 to estimate the prevalence and trends of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, 144,638 Asians and Whites represented in surveys from 2000 to 2009 were included in the mortality analysis with follow-up to 2011. Results: Type 2 diabetes was higher in Asians than Whites (7.0–11.2 vs. 5.6–8.3%) and increased over time. Prevalence rates increased from 8.1 (2000−2002) to 9.6% (2012–2014) in Asians and from 6.0 (2000–2002) to 7.9% (2012–2014) in Whites (both P < 0.05). The age-standardized mortality rates were 72.7 and 138.8 per 1000 person-years in Asians and Whites with diabetes, respectively, and 58.1 and 77.8 per 1000 person-years, respectively, in those without diabetes. Among Asians and Whites with diabetes, hazard ratios for total and CVD mortality were 0.7 (95% CI: 0.5–0.9) and 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1–0.6), respectively, with no difference in cancer mortality. Asians and Whites without diabetes exhibited no differences in total or cause-specific mortality. Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes was more prevalent in Asians, with a significant upward trend since 2000, but overall mortality was lower in Asians than Whites with diabetes. Asians are susceptible to type 2 diabetes; thus, prevention programs are still needed.