Prevalence of diabetes, epidemiological characteristics and vascular complications

María P. Russo, Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
María F. Grande-Ratti, Servicio de Clínica Médica; Área de Investigación en Medicina Interna; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Departamento de Medicina. Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mariana A. Burgos, Área de Investigación en Medicina Interna, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Anahí A. Molaro, Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
María B. Bonella, Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Objective: To estimate prevalence of diabetes in outpatient care and to describe its epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities, and related vascular complications. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study which included all adults affiliated from a private insurance health plan on March 2019, at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, from Argentina. Results: The global prevalence of diabetes resulted in 8.5% with 95% CI 8.3-8.6 (12,832 out of a total of 150,725 affiliates). The age stratum with the highest prevalence was the group between 65 and 80 years old with 15.7% (95% CI 15.3-16.1). People with diabetes had a mean age of 70 years (SD 14), 52% were women, and the most frequently associated cardiovascular risk factors were: dyslipidaemia (88%), arterial hypertension (74%) and obesity (55%). In relation to metabolic control, 60% had at least one glycosylated hemoglobin measured in the last year, 70% of which were less than 7%. Almost 80% have LDL measured at least once in the last 2 years, 55% of them had an LDL value equal to or less than 100 mg/dl. The macrovascular complications present in order of frequency were: acute myocardial infarction (11%), cerebrovascular accident (8%) and peripheral vascular disease (4%); while the microvascular complications were found to be diabetic neuropathy (4%) and retinopathy (2%). 7% had diabetic foot, with less than 1% amputations. Conclusion: Diabetes represents a prevalent problem, even in elderly patients. This population continues to present a high cardiovascular risk, with little compliance with therapeutic goals.

Keywords: Outpatient. Diabetes. Epidemiology. Vascular complications. Cardiovascular risk. Real world evidence.