[Risk factors associated with prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Lejona (Vizcaya)]

Abstract

Background: The aim of study was to define risk factors (age, body mass index, height, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) associated to non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT).

Patients, material and methods: This study was carried out in people > or = 30 years old in Lejona (Vizcaya) by randomized sampling of population, stratified by pyramids of age and sex (N = 862), with a low rate of non-responders (12.6%). An oral glucose tolerance test was done following the criteria recommended by the Committee of Experts of the World Health Organization (WHO). A multivariate analysis was performed, with presence/absence of NIDDM and/or AGT, as dependent variable in several models of logistic regression.

Results: The prevalence of NIDDM was 6.4% (56% previously unknown). Strong association of NIDDM with age, BMI, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was observed both in univariate, as well as multivariate analysis. However, SBP lost its value in the multivariate study. Multivariate analysis showed that NIDDM was 8.2 fold more frequent in the population > or = 60 years than in the < or = 45 years old group. NIDDM was 8.3 fold more frequent when BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 compared to < or = 25. NIDDM was 3.8 fold more frequent in the population with SBP > or = 140 mmHg than in the group with SBP < or = 120 mmHg. The prevalence of AGT in women is almost double than in men (13.4% vs 7.3%). Risk factors were also associated with AGT.

Conclusions: Weight and SBP are important risk factors for NIDDM and AGT prediction. The possibility of modifying these factors could possibly allow interventions in order to decrease the prevalence of NIDDM and AGT.