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Observational Study
. 2023;93(1):30-36.
doi: 10.24875/ACM.21000410.

Prevalence of diabetes, epidemiological characteristics and vascular complications

María P Russo  1 , María F Grande-Ratti  1   2   3 , Mariana A Burgos  2 , Anahí A Molaro  1 , María B Bonella  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Prevalence of diabetes, epidemiological characteristics and vascular complications

María P Russo et al. Arch Cardiol Mex. 2023.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To estimate prevalence of diabetes in outpatient care and to describe its epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities, and related vascular complications.

Methods: Observational cross-sectional study which included all adults affiliated from a private insurance health plan on March 2019, at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, from Argentina.

Results: The global prevalence of diabetes resulted in 8.5% with 95% CI 8.3-8.6 (12,832 out of a total of 150,725 affiliates). The age stratum with the highest prevalence was the group between 65 and 80 years old with 15.7% (95% CI 15.3-16.1). People with diabetes had a mean age of 70 years (SD 14), 52% were women, and the most frequently associated cardiovascular risk factors were: dyslipidaemia (88%), arterial hypertension (74%) and obesity (55%). In relation to metabolic control, 60% had at least one glycosylated hemoglobin measured in the last year, 70% of which were less than 7%. Almost 80% have LDL measured at least once in the last 2 years, 55% of them had an LDL value equal to or less than 100 mg/dl. The macrovascular complications present in order of frequency were: acute myocardial infarction (11%), cerebrovascular accident (8%) and peripheral vascular disease (4%); while the microvascular complications were found to be diabetic neuropathy (4%) and retinopathy (2%). 7% had diabetic foot, with less than 1% amputations.

Conclusion: Diabetes represents a prevalent problem, even in elderly patients. This population continues to present a high cardiovascular risk, with little compliance with therapeutic goals.

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de diabetes en atención ambulatoria y describir sus características epidemiológicas, comorbilidades y complicaciones vasculares relacionadas.

Método: Corte transversal que incluyó la totalidad de adultos afiliados a la prepaga del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires en marzo de 2019, Argentina.

Resultados: La prevalencia global de diabetes resultó del 8.5% con intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC95%): 8.3-8.6 (12,832 de un total de 150,725 afiliados). El estrato etario con mayor prevalencia fue el grupo entre 65 y 80 años, con un 15.7% (IC95%: 15.3-16.1). Las personas con diabetes presentaban una media de edad de 70 años (desviación estándar: 14), el 52% eran mujeres, y los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares más frecuentemente asociados fueron: dislipidemia (88%), hipertensión arterial (74%) y obesidad (55%). En relación con el control metabólico, el 60% tenía al menos una hemoglobina glucosilada medida en el último año, siendo el 70% de estas menores al 7%. Casi el 80% tiene medido el colesterol vinculado a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (c-LDL) al menos una vez en los últimos dos años, de ellos el 55% presentaba un valor de c-LDL igual o menor a 100 mg/dl. Las complicaciones macrovasculares presentes en orden de frecuencia fueron: infarto agudo de miocardio (11%), accidente cerebrovascular (8%) y enfermedad vascular periférica (4%); mientras que las complicaciones microvasculares resultaron ser neuropatía diabética (4%) y retinopatía (2%). El 7% tuvo pie diabético, con menos del 1% de amputaciones.

Conclusiones: La diabetes representa un problema prevalente, incluso en pacientes ancianos. Esta población sigue presentando un elevado riesgo cardiovascular, con escaso cumplimiento de objetivos terapéuticos.

Keywords: Ambulatorio; Cardiovascular risk; Complicaciones vasculares; Diabetes; Epidemiology; Epidemiología; Evidencia del mundo real; Outpatient; Real world evidence; Riesgo cardiovascular; Vascular complications.

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Conflict of interest statement

Los autores declaran no tener conflicto de intereses.

Figures

Figura 1
Figura 1
Diagrama del flujo de inclusión de los pacientes en el estudio.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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