Characteristics and cardiovascular risk of new cases of type 2 diabetes in Otago, New Zealand, 1998-2004.
We compared clinical and metabolic characteristics and estimated cardiovascular risk for 2073 new cases of type 2 diabetes enrolled on the Otago Diabetes Register, 1998-2004 by age at diagnosis (<40 years, 40-59 years, 60-79 years, >79 years). Data were extracted and means or proportions calculated. 5-year cardiovascular risk was estimated using New Zealand risk equation tables. The <40 year age group had the highest proportion of current smokers (27%). Weight, body mass index and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly with increasing age from 104.2 kg, 35.9 kg/m(2) and 80.5 mmHg, respectively, for the <40 year age group to 71.6 kg, 26.9 kg/m(2) and 76.2 mmHg, respectively, for the > or =80 year age group (p<0.01). The reverse trend was observed for systolic blood pressure. HbA1c and triglycerides were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol significantly lower in the <40 year age group compared with other groups (p<0.001). Estimated 5-year risk of cardiovascular disease was lower in the young age group when compared with older age groups despite, overall, having the worst array of modifiable clinical risk factors. A new approach to assessment and communication of cardiovascular risk and aggressive treatment of modifiable risk factors is likely to be necessary to prevent potentially serious diabetes complications at a young age.
Coppell
Kirsten
K
Edgar National Centre for Diabetes Research, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. kirsten.coppell@otago.ac.nz
Williams
Sheila
S
Anderson
Karen
K
Lamb
Claire
C
Mann
Jim
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking