Speaker Abstract

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Canadian Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: The Canadian Heart Health Surveys

Michel R. Joffres, David R. MacLean, Mena H. Tan, Andres Petrasovits

Objective: To report the prevalence of major modifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a representative sample of adult Canadians who report having diabetes. Methods: A probability sample of over 29,977 men and women aged 18-74 years was selected from health insurance registries of the 10 Canadian Provinces from 1986 to 1992 as part of Provincial Heart Health Surveys. Seventy-eight percent (23,129) of the population invited to participate in the surveys were interviewed. In nine of ten provinces those interviewed were asked "were you ever told by a doctor or a nurse that you have diabetes?" A positive reply was given by 1066 individuals (4.5%) and form the sample which is reported upon in this paper. CVD risk factors reported upon are; weight for height, (BMI), blood pressure (mean of four measurements taken at two separate visits); Fasting blood lipids; smoking and sedentary living. Results: Prevalence of modifiable risk factors for CVD is high in people with diabetes in Canada: 25% smoke (one or more cigarettes per day); 59% have elevated blood cholesterol (>5.2 mmol\L); 55% are overweight (BM1>27); 48% lead a sedentary life style (exercise less than once per week); and 52% have high blood pressure ( >= 140/ 90 min Hg and\or on treatment). Age-standardized prevalence of CVD risk factors is higher in people with diabetes than in the general population and people with diabetes are much more likely to have one or more of the above CVD risk factors than the general population (89 % vs 79%). Conclusions: Presence of significant multiple CVD risk factors in people with diabetes in Canada is likely to account for some of the excess mortality observed in this population. This speaks not only to the need but to the potential for prevention of macrovascular complications in people with diabetes.
Supported by NHRDP, Health Canada.