Socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and chronic diabetic complications in the Basque Country, Spain

Diabet Med. 2005 Aug;22(8):1047-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2005.01598.x.

Abstract

Aims: To establish the relationship between socio-economic status and the prevalence of known Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and chronic diabetic complications.

Methods: In 2000, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 61 general practitioners (GPs) who studied 65 651 people older than 24 years. Of those, 2985 known Type 2 diabetic patients were registered. The main outcome measures were: diabetes prevalence, major cardiovascular risk factors, chronic diabetic complications and primary care services utilization in Type 2 diabetic patients. Socio-economic status was based on area-based socio-economic measures.

Results: The prevalence of known Type 2 diabetes was higher in patients of lower socio-economic status (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.77-2.28), especially among women (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.91-2.73). In Type 2 diabetes patients, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and abnormal levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and HbA(1c) were more prevalent among those from lower socio-economic status. Macroangiopathy was inversely associated with socio-economic status after adjustment for clinical and demographic variables. Patients of lower socio-economic status more frequently visited primary care services than those of higher status.

Conclusions: This study shows an association between deprivation and Type 2 diabetes prevalence, cardiovascular risk factors and chronic diabetic complications in Type 2 diabetes patients. Despite a greater use of health services by less wealthy patients, they showed worse glycaemic control and more chronic complications. Besides clinical variables, socio-economic status and environmental information need to be considered in the assessment of risk profile of diabetic patients by health professionals and by health service planners.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Class
  • Spain / epidemiology