Risk Factors for Macro- and Microvascular Complications among Older Adults with Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.
Objective. To explore risk factors for macro- and microvascular complications in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 50 years and over with type 2 diabetes in Ireland. Methods. Data from the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) (2009-2011) was used in cross-sectional analysis. The presence of doctor diagnosis of diabetes, risk factors, and macro- and microvascular complications were determined by self-report. Gender-specific differences in risk factor prevalence were assessed with the chi-squared test. Binomial regression analysis was conducted to explore independent associations between established risk factors and diabetes-related complications. Results. Among 8175 respondents, 655 were classified as having type 2 diabetes. Older age, being male, a history of smoking, a lower level of physical activity, and a diagnosis of high cholesterol were independent predictors of macrovascular complications. Diabetes diagnosis of 10 or more years, a history of smoking, and a diagnosis of hypertension were associated with an increased risk of microvascular complications. Older age, third-level education, and a high level of physical activity were protective factors (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Early intervention to target modifiable risk factors is urgently needed to reduce diabetes-related morbidity in the older population in Ireland.
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Road, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland.
Marsha L
0000-0003-3943-6031
ML
Tracey
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Road, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland.
Sheena M
SM
McHugh
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Road, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland; Department of Statistics, University College Cork, Western Road, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland.
Anthony P
AP
Fitzgerald
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Road, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland; Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive (HSE) South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland.
Claire M
CM
Buckley
Department of Endocrinology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Ronan J
RJ
Canavan
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Road, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland.
Patricia M
0000-0001-9599-3540
PM
Kearney
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000453:epidemiology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology