Prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors of industrial area in southern Poland.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious health and social problem. We assessed the prevalence of DM and metabolic syndrome in an urban population in southern Poland.

METHODS

Sample of 782 subjects randomly selected from adult inhabitants of industrial district (23 442 voters registered) was invited. The response rate was 56% (including 85% of those aged over 50 years) mean age 53+/-15 years. 75 g OGTT and serum concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL/LDL fractions were measured. The percentage+/-assessment error for the disorders were calculated assuming not-responders represented normal glucose tolerance.

RESULTS

Prevalence of DM was 8.06+/-0.9% (7.15+/-1.25 M and 8.94+/-1.3 F) including 5.56+/-0.77% (5.56+/-1.13 M and 5.56+/-1.06 F) with known and 2.52+/-0.55 (1.59+/-0.64 M and 3.37+/-0.89 F) newly diagnosed. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT and/or IFG) was found in additional 8.44+/-0.93% (6.09+/-1.17 M and 10.7+/-1.41 F). Extrapolated to the general population shown the prevalence 6.54+/-0.73% (5.8+/-1.02 M and 7.25+/-1.05 F). Features of the metabolic syndrome (IDF criteria) were found in 34% of the participants - 75% of patients with DM, 63% with glucose intolerance (IGT and/or IFG) and 19% of individuals with NGT (p<0.001 as compared to other groups). CONCLUSIONS The study confirmed high prevalence of diabetes mellitus with lower percentage of undiagnosed disease. Presence of impaired glucose tolerance allows to identify the high risk of metabolic syndrome and in consequence high risk of cardiovascular disease.