Awareness, Treatment, Control of Diabetes Mellitus and the Risk Factors: Survey Results from Northeast China

Abstract

BackgroundThe awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) can effectively reflect on the social status of diabetes conditions. Although several researchers have investigated the awareness, treatment and control rates of diabetes mellitus in China, little is known about their association with risk factors. This study aims to examine the relationship between risk factors and awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus in northeast China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012. Multistage stratified random cluster sampling design was used to select participants aged 18 to 79 years old. The analysis was based on a representative sample of 1,854 adult subjects. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine socio-demographic factors associated with the levels of awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus.ResultsThe awareness, treatment, and control rates of diabetes mellitus were 64.1%, 52.9% and 44.2%, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, family history of diabetes was significantly positively associated with awareness (OR, 2.145; 95% CI, 1.600–2.875) and treatment (OR, 2.021; 95% CI, 1.559–2.619) of diabetes mellitus, while negatively associated with control (OR, 0.671; 95% CI, 0.529–0.951). Cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers were less likely than non-smokers and non-drinkers to be aware of their blood glucose levels (OR, 0.895, 0.614; 95% CI, 0.659–1.216, 0.446–0.844, respectively). Participants who frequently exercise were more likely to be aware of their diabetic conditions than people who never or rarely exercise (OR, 2.003; 95% CI, 1.513–2.651).ConclusionsWe found that the awareness and treatment of diabetes mellitus were positively associated with age and were high in participants with a family history of diabetes and those who exercise frequently, but low for cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers. Participants with a family history of diabetes had their diabetic condition poorly controlled.

Diabetes mellitus medication use and catastrophic healthcare expenditure among adults aged 50+ years in China and India: results from the WHO study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE)

“…The finding is in line with other epidemiological research on the treatment and control of DM in China [72, 75]. It is suggested, that older women are more likely to seek diagnosis and treatment for DM, for example if they experienced gestational DM during pregnancy, and that men do not pay attention to their health needs to the same extent [38].…”

“…An international study of the association between obesity and DM demonstrated that a 10 cm increase in waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio of >0.5 were associated with significant 1.26 (India) and 1.68 (China) times higher odds for DM [76]. Research in China shows that individual’s awareness of having DM increases the likelihood of their undertaking frequent physical activity for self-managing their condition [72]. In India DM commonly occurs at lower obesity thresholds and at younger age compared with many other countries [77, 78].…”

Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among diabetes mellitus adults in the Jilin province in China: a cross-sectional study

“…Finally, we randomly selected one adult resident from each household in the selected units. The detailed sampling process has been described previously (Wang et al, 2014; Wang et al, 2015). …”

Assessing evidence of inequalities in access to medication for diabetic populations in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

“…In many LMICs, diabetes has become a public health problem at all levels of socio-economic status (41). Despite high diabetes prevalence and mortality rates in LMICs (5), many people with diabetes are unaware that they have this chronic condition (42). …”