Sex and age differences in cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle in patients recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study in Spanish primary health care.
<h4>Aims</h4>To describe the main characteristics of patients recently diagnosed with DM regarding cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes-related complications, compare possible differences according to sex and age group, and examine healthy lifestyle behaviors such as adherence to the...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314519 |
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| Summary: | <h4>Aims</h4>To describe the main characteristics of patients recently diagnosed with DM regarding cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes-related complications, compare possible differences according to sex and age group, and examine healthy lifestyle behaviors such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity and their associated factors.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study of 681 patients aged >30 years diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in the previous 4 years was performed. The patients were treated in primary care centers in Madrid (Spain). The variables were obtained from their electronic medical records, physical examination, complete analysis, and lifestyle questionnaires.<h4>Results</h4>The main comorbidities were: hypercholesterolemia (64.4%; 95% CI, 60.6-68.2), hypertension (55.2%; 95% CI, 51.3-59.1), obesity (58.9%; 95% CI, 55.2-62.6), metabolic syndrome (58.5%; 95% CI, 54.6-62.5); and hypertriglyceridemia (25.3%; 95% CI, 21.9-28.7). Despite being newly diagnosed, 7.6% (95% CI, 5.4-9.8) had microalbuminuria, and 10.3% (95% CI, 8.0-12.6) cardiovascular disease. The main unhealthy lifestyles were: low physical activity (52%; 95% CI, 48.1-55.9), alcohol consumption (47.7%; 95% CI, 44.0-51.5) and smoking (19.2%; 95% CI, 16.2-22.3). Compared with men, women had more morbid obesity (9.7% vs 4.6%, p = .014), worse lipid profile (total cholesterol: 184 (IQR, 158-207) vs. 165 (IQR, 144-192), p < .01), less treatment with metformin (74.8% vs. 84.4%, p < .01) and antiplatelet agents (8.1% vs.18.6%, p < .01), but women had fewer comorbidities. Patients with a high educational level (OR = 1.90, 95% CI, 1.28-2.81)) and those >60 years (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01-2.21) were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet, and the older ones did less intense exercise (OR = 0.34, 95% CI, 0.16-0.75). Normal blood pressure was associated with Mediterranean diet (OR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.05-2.21) and high physical activity (OR = 4.03; 95% CI, 1.69-9.61); and body mass index was inversely associated with physical activity (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85-0.99).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Patients newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus may also have crucial cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities at the onset of the disease. However, patients with a healthy lifestyle were more likely to have a normal blood pressure and a lower body mass index. |
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| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |