Endocrine System Diseases Commons^™

Exploring The Relationships Between Health Literacy And Hba1c In A Rural Border Region, Stephen Jaime

Dissertations

Aims/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between select sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, individual health literacy levels, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels among Hispanic patients with diabetes living in a rural border region.

Background: The frequency of complications from diabetes can increase as HbA1c levels rise, causing the person with diabetes to be at greater risk for blindness, amputation, or renal failure. Unfortunately, people of Hispanic background are at higher risk of developing diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Many people living in rural towns that border Mexico are of Hispanic background, increasing their risk of developing …

The Life Story Analysis Of Those Suffering From Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Azalea Di Nardi

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the pervasive impacts of autoimmune thyroiditis, specifically Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease. To accomplish this, the life story methodology was utilized to gather individual experiences from 11 participants diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. The participants completed a background and general health questionnaire and 45- to-100-minute virtual interview disclosing their journey from the onset of symptoms, through diagnosis, to their most recent state. Themes were compiled from the interviews, which allowed identification of the largest areas of impact, needs, and future implications for practitioners and providers. Major themes identified were decreased quality of …

Liquid Biopsies For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Biomarkers For Disease Risk And Diagnosis, Stephanie Chidester

Dissertations

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. There is a critical need for earlier and more effective screening and diagnostic tools. Innovative liquid biopsy technologies may play a key role in meeting this need. Liquid biopsies are a non-invasive, adjunctive tool for determining diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response. This dissertation focuses on two potential applications of liquid biopsy technologies to T2DM: (1) epigenome-wide association studies to identify epigenetic markers of risk for T2DM, and (2) extracellular vesicle (EV)-based biomarker studies to identify and detect markers associated with T2DM development and progression. Dissertation studies: …

The Associations Of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors And Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women, Edna Esquer

Dissertations

The Associations of Chronic Stress, Social Support, Health Behaviors and Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanic Women

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence is 25% among Mexican American women 30 – 49 years of age, compared to 22% among non-Hispanic Whites in the United States. Little is known about the additional contributions of chronic stress, social support and health behaviors to the development of MetS among this population.

Purpose: Describe the associations between chronic stress, social support, and health behaviors and the presence of MetS in Hispanic women living in an underserved community.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design. The Adult Treatment Panel …

Evaluating The Delivery Of Diabetes-Related Care Among The Asian Population, Lyly Bui

Dissertations

Purpose: This project evaluated current practices for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) screening and management among Asian Americans (AAs) presenting to a primary care clinic and determined whether these practices adhered to the American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s 2018 guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to extract data from clinical case records of AAs who visited the Vietnamese Health Center (VHC) between November 1, 2017 and November 1, 2018. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the data.

Results: Of 173 charts reviewed, 76.3% of AAs had no previous T2DM diagnosis and 23.7% had a previous diagnosis. Among those without …

The Influence Of Stressful Life Events On The Development Of Type 2 Diabetes, Joshua Minks

Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between distress and the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the presence of established risk factors. Distress secondary to mental health disparities, stressful life events, and work conditions has been shown to promote insulin resistance and the development of T2DM.

Subjects (N=79) diagnosed with T2DM within the previous six months were recruited from SSM Health Centers and VA Medical Centers in the greater St. Louis area. They completed the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire, ENRICHD Social Support Instrument, and a demographic survey and analyses were conducted to determine differences between the veteran …

A Functional Algorithm For Weight Loss And Obesity Practice: Guide For Clinical Decision-Making For Treating Women, Jennifer A. Tice Williams

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background

Overweight and obesity have significant impact and consequences on women leading to reduced quality of life, comorbid conditions and premature mortality. Many healthcare providers lack adequate training and the time to properly treat overweight and obesity. Algorithms have been shown to improve clinical knowledge and save time.

Objectives

To develop an algorithm for weight loss assessment and treatment to aid in the clinical decision-making process while improving the quality of care for overweight and obese clients in an efficient manner that can be replicated.

Methods

After an extensive literature review to identify best-practice guidelines for weight loss a …

Efficacy Of Behavioral Interventions In African-Americans With Type Ii Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Analysis, Tangela Nicole Hales

Dissertations

Context: The efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system are prime foci for nursing research.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to review and critically appraise the current state of the evidence in the treatment of African American adults with type II diabetes. To address this objective, a systematic review was undertaken that investigated the comparative effectiveness of behavioral interventions in improving glycemic control.

Methods: Robust methodological approaches to comparative effectiveness research (CER) serve to improve the transparency, consistency, and scientific rigor of the research. The methods for this systematic review of literature followed those recommended in the Agency …