Microsoft Word search phase 3 Title Page Amendment

4.
 
Study Objectives & Background and Significance 
4.1.
 
SEARCH COHORT STUDY OBJECTIVES 
4.1.1.
 
Goals 
SEARCH is an on-going, multi-center, epidemiological study consisting of the largest 
and most culturally diverse population of youth with diabetes ever assembled.  Initiated 
in 2000, SEARCH encompasses the major racial/ethnic groups in the U.S: non-Hispanic 
white (NHW), African-American (AA), Hispanic (H), Asian-Pacific Islander (API) and 
American Indian (AI).  SEARCH was designed to estimate the prevalence and incidence 
of diabetes among youth, and to characterize diabetes-related health outcomes and their 
risk factors including barriers to care and quality of health care.  However, critical 
questions remain regarding the impact of diabetes on the health outcomes of affected 
youth.  In the SEARCH Phase 3 Cohort Study, we will conduct an in-person research 
visit with SEARCH participants whose diabetes was incident in 2002 or later, with 
duration of diabetes > 5 years who completed a baseline study visit (expected n=3699).  
SEARCH has a well-established and ongoing infrastructure and is uniquely positioned to 
successfully address the following Aims: 
Aim 1:  Assess the prevalence and incidence of, and risk factors for chronic 
microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, and autonomic neuropathy) and 
selected markers of macrovascular complications (hypertension, arterial 
stiffness) of diabetes. 
Research Question 1.1:  Is the presence and incidence of selected chronic 
complications and markers of complications different according to a) clinical diabetes 
type (Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes); b) biochemical dimensions of diabetes type 
(autoimmunity, insulin sensitivity score, residual insulin secretion); or c) metabolic 
risk factors (hyperglycemia, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, presence and 
severity of diabetic ketoacidosis at onset or thereafter)? 
Research Question 1.2:  Is the presence of risk factors for, and selected markers of, 
chronic complications associated with race/ethnicity or other socio-cultural factors 
(e.g., family structure, household income, or parental education)?  Using data 
collected at previously study visit(s), what are associations of selected factors 
including physical inactivity, high fat diet, selected nutrient biomarkers (e.g., plasma 
vitamin D), cigarette smoking exposure, and depressive symptoms and these vascular 
markers?