HbA_1c levels vary among Hispanics and Latinos of different heritage groups, according to a cross-sectional analysis of data from more than 15,000 individuals. Variations also occur in these groups when compared with whites.

Participants—none of whom were diagnosed with diabetes—included more than 13,000 people of Hispanic/Latino heritage, and more than 2,200 whites. Investigators looked at HbA_1c levels before and after adjusting for age, sex, glucose test results, body measurements, and other variables. They categorized participants as having unrecognized diabetes, prediabetes, and normal glucose tolerance. Among the results:

• Average adjusted HbA_1c differed significantly across all groups.

• HbA_1c was significantly lower in whites when compared with all Hispanic/Latino heritage groups.

• The differences remained significant in all groups after categorizing individuals by diabetes status.

Citation: Avilés-Santa M, Hsu L, Arredondo M, et al. Differences in hemoglobin A_1C between Hispanics/Latinos and Non-Hispanic Whites: An analysis of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and the 2007–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. [Published online ahead of print April 18, 2016]. Diabetes Care. doi:10.2337/dc15-2579.