According to a recent study in Diabetes Care, many low-income minority adults with type 2 diabetes have misconceptions about the disease that could affect its management. The study surveyed over 150 people who had diabetes for an average of 13 years and were receiving routine medical care. Fifty-eight percent of the participants were Hispanics and 34 percent were black. Most of the patients had an annual income below $30,000.
 
Here are some statistics from the study:

• About one in three of the participants believed their doctor could cure their condition or that they would not always have the disease. 
• Most were unaware of the hemoglobin A1C test, which monitors long-term glucose control.
• Fifty-six percent believed normal glucose levels were 200 mg/dL of blood or less, when in fact normal levels are below 100 mg/dL for fasting blood glucose or below 140 mg/dL after an oral glucose tolerance test.
• Fifty-five percent of those using insulin were more likely to have misconceptions about diabetes, including the 25 percent whose A1C levels signaled poor blood glucose control.

 Diabetes is currently the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States.

This article originally appeared in the May 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.