Macrovascular complications and their associated factors among persons with type 2 diabetes in Karachi, Pakistan--a multi-center study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of macrovascular complications and factors associated with these complications among persons with Type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A multi-center, cross-sectional survey was conducted in three diabetes clinics of Karachi from November 2000 to April 2001. Six hundred and seventy-two persons were interviewed to determine the prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD), cerebrovascular disease (CVA) and diabetic foot (DF). Demographic data and co-variables obtained include age, sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, exercise habits and history of hypertension (HTN).


RESULTS
Overall, 26.4%, 6.8% and 3.9% of individuals had IHD, CVA and DF respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that subjects having IHD were more likely to have HTN (AOR=1.88, 95% CI 1.31-2.69), not performing regular exercise (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.39-3.17) and be current smokers (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.10-3.10) Subjects having CVA were more likely to have diabetes for more than 5 years (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI 0.97-3.87). Males were more prone than females to have DF (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI 1.46-8.31). Those who had DF were more likely to have diabetes for more than 5 years (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI 1.09-9.89) and of reporting current smoking (AOR = 4.01, 95% CI 1.49-10.71).


CONCLUSIONS
Large proportions of persons with Type 2 diabetes were suffering from preventable macrovascular complications in Karachi, Pakistan. There is a need to develop risk factor modification interventions to reduce the impact of long-term complications.
Khuwaja
A K
AK
Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Rafique
G
G
White
F
F
Azam
S I
SI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology