The prevalance of type II diabetes mellitus and its cardiovascular risk factors in a general practice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the : prevalence of Type II diabetes and its cardiovascular risk factors. It was conducted on patients attending the General Practice Unit of the University of Hong Kong. In a total patient population of 3,400, 182 were identified to have diabetes mellitus (both Type I&II). All but one of the 182 diabetic patients had Type II diabetes. The mean age of these Type II patients was 63.4 and mean duration of known diabetes was 3.5 years. Sixty-two percent were on oral hypoglycaemic agents and 32.6% were on diet only. Over half were either on treatment for hypertension or had blood pressures in the hypertensive range. Seventy percent with measured cholesterol had levels above 5.2 mmoljl while 36% with measured triglyceride had levels above 2 mmol IL. Nearly 10% were smokers, with men being 12 more likely than women to be smoking. Over thirds had BMI over 25. This study reveals a high prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors 'among Chinese Type II patients attending a Hong Kong general practice clink. Long term prospective studies are needed to determine if these risk factors have similar cardiovascular effects in Hong Kong Chinese population as in the Western populations.