Nested Study: Identifying Risk for Diabetes and Heart Disease in Women: A Study of African-American, African and White Federal Employees and Contractors

National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The Federal Womens Study is an active clinical protocol recruiting 360 federal employees and contractors (120 African-American, 120 African immigrant, 120 white) working in the Washington DC metropolitan area that aims to identify the earliest risk factors for diabetes and heart disease by race and ethnicity. This nested study was designed to help unravel the complex association of race/ ethnicity, hepatic insulin resistance and the pathway to diabetes. This project evaluates the components of hepatic glucose production (gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis) and the contribution of hepatic to total body insulin resistance by race and ethnicity. Eligible women (30 African descent and 30 white) who participate in the primary protocol (13-DK-0090) are being invited to participate in the nested study to measure glucose and fat metabolism and energy expenditure. In summary, we are undertaking a mechanistic approach to understanding the biology of health disparities in diabetes. In the effort to curb the epidemic of cardiometabolic disease worldwide, these findings will help to determine the utility of fasting hyperglycemia as an effective screening test for diabetes in the African diaspora.