Sex and age differences in cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle at the onset of diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study in Spanish Primary Health Care

Aims To describe the main characteristics of patients recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in terms of comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors and healthy lifestyle by sex and age group. Methods 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. Results 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%, p60 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). Conclusions Patients newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus have crucial cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities at the onset of the disease. These can be modified through a healthy lifestyle.