title: Gender differences and patterns of cardiovascular risk factors in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes: a population-based analysis from a Scottish region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the gender differences, along with the relationships between BMI, glycaemic control, cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of diabetes complications, in a representative population-based group of people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from general practices in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland for 15 351 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the cohort with Type 1 diabetes, after adjustment for age, men had a significantly lower BMI (P = 0.007) and significantly lower total cholesterol (P = 0.005), HDL-cholesterol (P = 2.5*10(-17)) and HbA1c levels (P = 0.003) than women. By contrast, men had higher blood pressure, both systolic (P = 0.034) and diastolic (P = 0.0003), and higher non-fasting triglyceride levels (P = 0.001). Men with Type 1 diabetes had a higher prevalence of neuropathy (P = 0.021). Among people with Type 2 diabetes, men had a significantly lower BMI (P = 4.26*10(-37)), and significantly lower total cholesterol (P = 2.96*10(-62)) and HDL-cholesterol levels (P = 8.25*10(-141)) but higher non-fasting triglyceride levels (P = 0.0002). In Type 2 diabetes, men had a higher prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (P = 1.66*10(-25)), stroke (P = 0.002) and peripheral vascular disease (P = 1.68*10(-12)), while women were older (P = 4.83*10(-23)), heavier and had a higher prevalence of hypertension (P = 5.32*10(-12)). More people with Type 2 diabetes were on lipid-lowering treatment (84.7 vs 52.4%; P = 5.51*10(-8)) than were those with Type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of retinopathy was higher among non-smokers thank smokers in people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (Type 1, P = 0.016; Type 2, P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows gender differences between Type 1 and 2 diabetes that are of clinical significance and require further investigation. Follow-up of the patients included in the present study should give us much greater understanding of the importance of gender in the development of metabolic abnormalities and diabetes complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Ayr Hospital, Ayr, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hair
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Waugh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D014280:Triglycerides; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human