Disease burdens and risk factors for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia among refugees in Buffalo, New York, 2004- 2014

Introduction. Limited is known about prevalence and risk factors for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia among refugees. Methods. At a refugee clinic in Buffalo, N.Y. (2004- 2014), 1,570 adults were studied using multivariate logistic regression. Results. Prevalences of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were 7.8%, 24.1%, and 27.1%, respectively. Among refugees, 49.2% of diabetes and 46.7% of hypertension were uncontrolled. Obesity (odds ratio [OR]=2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.61- 3.85) and length of stay (OR=1.25; 95%CI=1.16- 1.35) were risk factors for diabetes. Eastern European origin (OR=4.09; 95%CI=2.00- 8.38), obesity (OR=2.62; 95%CI=1.92- 3.58), length of follow-up (OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.00- 1.12), gender (OR=0.59; 95%CI=0.44- 0.78) and tobacco use (OR=1.54; 95%CI=1.00- 2.38) were associated with hypertension. Age (OR=1.02; 95%CI=1.01- 1.04) was associated with hyperlipidemia. Conclusions. Refugees had comparable burden of non- communicable diseases, but a greater proportion of refugees than of the U.S. population had uncontrolled conditions. Duration of follow-up, obesity, tobacco use, gender, age, and region of origin were risk factors for diagnosis. Culturallytailored chronic disease management strategies are needed.