[Diabetes in Italy: a public health problem].
BACKGROUND
Type 2 diabetes is the most frequent form of diabetes in the adult population and is associated with an increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and the state of control in an Italian population sample examined within the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare study.


METHODS
The sample of this study consisted in 8972 subjects, men and women aged 35-74 years. A fasting capillary blood glucose > or = 126 mg/dl or being on antidiabetic treatment were the criteria used to define diabetes, while a fasting capillary blood glucose < 140 mg/dl was considered to represent effective treatment (controlled diabetes) in treated patients.


RESULTS
Diabetes was present in 8.4% of men and 6% in women. The prevalence of glucose intolerance was 8.2% in men and 4.3% in women. Only 50.7% of diabetic men and 56.5% of diabetic women knew about their disease; among these people, 21% was on treatment with oral antidiabetics and/or insulin. Such a therapy was effective in 39.5% of the treated cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of diabetes as well as glucose intolerance was greater in men and in the regions of the Center and South of Italy. The state of control of diabetes cannot be considered satisfactory; women and older age groups, when prevention strategies are less important, appear to be under better care.
Centro Nazionale di Prevenzione Cardiovascolare, ASS 4 Medio Friuli, Udine.
Lorenza
L
Pilotto
Andrea
A
Gaggioli
Cinzia
C
Lo Noce
Francesco
F
Dima
Luigi
L
Palmieri
Massimo
M
Uguccioni
Sergio
S
Pede
Simona
S
Giampaoli
Diego
D
Vanuzzo
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin