title: The prevalence of diabetes complications and associated risk factors in Pacific Islands countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of diabetes complications and associated risk factors among people with type 2 diabetes in three Pacific Island countries, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 459 people with diabetes. Subjects were screened for complications using a standardised protocol which gathered information on demographics, physical and biochemical parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 459 subjects, 47% were female, mean age was 54 years and mean duration of diabetes was eight years. The prevalence of diabetes complications was significantly higher in Nauru compared with the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu - microalbuminuria 71%, 36% and 51% respectively (P<0.001), retinopathy 69%, 40% and 42% respectively (P<0.001), and abnormal foot sensation 30%, 23% and 19% respectively (P=0.036). The prevalences of hypertension, overweight/obesity and poor glycaemic control were high. The percentages of subjects achieving recommended clinical targets were low. Microalbuminuria was significantly associated with duration of diabetes, hypertension and glycaemic control. Diabetic retinopathy was significantly associated with duration of diabetes whereas abnormal foot sensation was significantly associated with duration of diabetes and glycaemic control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found a high prevalence of diabetes complications and associated risk factors, which indicate the need to improve diabetes care and strengthen preventive efforts to reduce complications.
authors.affiliation: Health and Sustainability Unit, The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, G82 Medical Foundation Building K25, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: si.wintin@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Si Thu
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Win Tin
authors.affiliation: Non Communicable Diseases Unit, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, The Solomon Islands. Electronic address: gkenilorea@moh.gov.sb.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kenilorea
authors.affiliation: Public Health Centre, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Republic of Nauru. Electronic address: evagadbu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gadabu
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Unit, Public Health Department, Vanuatu. Electronic address: jtasserei@vanuatu.gov.vu.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tasserei
authors.affiliation: Health and Sustainability Unit, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Victor Coppleson Building DO2, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: ruth.colagiuri@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colagiuri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose
keywords: Complications; Diabetes care; Pacific Island countries (PICs); Risk factors; Type 2 diabetes