The Memphis and Atlanta continuing care programs for diabetes. II. Comparative analyses of demographic characteristics, treatment methods, and outcomes over a 9-10-year follow-up period.
A total of 1467 black patients (911 in Atlanta, 556 in Memphis) were selected (1969-70) and followed longitudinally and prospectively until death (404 patients) or through 31 December 1979, when 676 were alive and active and 387 were lost to follow-up. The women/men ratio in each cohort was 4.7/1. Women had more excess body wt than men at maximum weight and at time of diagnosis. At selection, the Atlanta cohort was older (60.2 vs 56.8 yr), had diabetes longer (7.5 vs 5.2 yr), and had a higher initial mean random plasma glucose (MRPG) level (217 vs 195 mg/dl) than the Memphis cohort. The Atlanta cohort was on sulfonylurea/phenformin therapy, which was discontinued at entry. After 9-10 yr follow-up, the MRPG level was not significantly different from the initial level in either cohort, and the Atlanta cohort level was still significantly higher (221 vs 185 mg/dl). Mean weight loss after 9-10 yr follow-up was significantly greater in Atlanta (17.7 vs 6.8 lb). Those under good control in 1979, as indicated by random plasma glucose (RPG) of less than 150 mg/dl, lost more weight (means: Atlanta, 23 lb; Memphis, 8.7 lb) than those under poor control in 1979 (RPG greater than 300 mg/dl; means: Atlanta, 14.7 lb; Memphis, 1.3 lb). In the pooled alive and active cohorts (1979), 29.1% were under good control (RPG less than 150 mg/dl); 52.9%, fair control (RPG = 150-300 mg/dl); and 18.0%, poor control (RPG greater than 300 mg/dl). Of the 639 alive and active patients, paired plasma glucose levels were less than 200 mg/dl in 207 patients in 1969-70 and less than 200 mg/dl in 322 in 1979.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)