Background and Aim
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia1. People with diabetes have two-fold greater risk of developing CVD than the general population1. Diabetes Centres aim to prevent CVD in patients with diabetes, through management of modifiable risk factors; hyperglycaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, obesity and smoking.
Here we present analysis of the 2013 ANDA-AQCA to provide a current estimate of the impact of CVD in Australian patients with diabetes seeking care in Specialist Diabetes Centres.
Method
Data from the 2013 ANDA-AQCA data-base was examined. People with diabetes, over 18 years old, presenting to a participating Diabetes Centre, during a 1 month period in May or June 2013 were studied. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Stata 12.
Results
3843 people with diabetes (type 2 diabetes 71.7%, type 1 diabetes 20.8% and 7.5% other diabetes) were studied (52.3% males) with a mean age of 57.1±17.1 years.
Of all subjects, 19.8% reported CVD, 73% had an HbA1c greater than 7%, 80.6% were overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25Kg/m2), 52.6 % had a total cholesterol level greater than 4.0mmol/L, 49.3% had a blood pressure greater than 130/80 and 11.4% were current smokers.
Of those who reported CVD, 92.2% were on anti-lipid therapy and 91.7% on anti-hypertensive therapy. Despite appropriate treatment, lipid and blood pressure targets were achieved in less than 50% (33.4% and 47.5% respectively) with only 24.4% achieving both lipid and blood pressure targets.
Conclusion
CVD and its modifiable risk factors have a high prevalence in patients with diabetes being managed in specialist Diabetes Centres. Many treatment targets are not being achieved, highlighting the need for intensification of resources in Diabetes Centres around Australia.