Abstract 2116: The presence of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is strongly associated with essential hypertension

Background: Diabetes (DM) and hypertension (HTN) are common risk factors for heart disease in the population. Independent association between DM and HTN has not been studied in large populations. The goal of this study was to evaluate independent association between DM and HTN using a very large data base. Method: We used ICD-9 Codes for type 2 DM (250.00, 250.02) and HTN (401.0, 401.1, 401.9) from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. We randomly selected the years 1992 and 2002 databases which are 10 years apart as two independent samples. NIS involves approximate a 20-percent sample of U.S. community hospitals and specialty hospitals. We used uni- and multivariate analysis to evaluate any association between type 2 DM and HTN adjusting for comorbid conditions. Results: 1992 database contained a total of 6,195,744 patients. Type 2 DM occurred in 37.5% of patients with HTN vs. 11.4% of the control group (OR: 4.63, CI 4.61– 4.693, p<0.001). 2002 database contained a total of 7,853,982 patients. Type 2 DM occurred in 57.2% of patients with HTN vs. 22.9% of the control group (OR: 4.49 CI 4.47– 4.52, p<0.001). Using Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, gender, hyperlipidemia, obesity, smoking, and chronic renal failure, DM remained independently associated with HTN in both database. (for the year 1992: OR: 2.49, CI:2.47–2.51, p<0.001 and for the year 2002 OR: 2.19, CI: 2.18 –2.20, p<0.001) Conclusion: The presence of type 2 DM is strongly associated with HTN. This association is independent of comorbid conditions and has been persistent with no significant changes in the odds ratios over a period of 10 years.

Holographic contouring of fossil teeth

A method has been developed that uses holographic interferometry to generate contour maps of the occlusional surfaces of fossil teeth. The resulting contour map is, in itself, a valuable descriptive tool. In addition, it provides information for a very large data base, which has been used in trend-surface analysis and Q-mode clustering. As an example, these analytical techniques are applied to a set of Pliocene badger teeth. The same methods can be applied to any paleontological problem dealing with shapes of small objects.