Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus Among Elderly Men and Women Living in Mediterranean Islands: The MEDIS Study

Abstract

■ AbstractBACKGROUND: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationships between socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle and psychological characteristics and the presence of diabetes mellitus, among elderly individuals without known cardiovascular disease. METHODS: During 2005-2007, 1190 elderly (aged 65 to 100 years) men and women (from Cyprus, Mitilini, Samothraki, Cephalonia, Crete, Lemnos, Corfu and Zakynthos) were enrolled. Sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle factors were assessed using standard procedures. Diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting blood glucose >125 mg/dl or use of special medication. RESULTS: 21% of males and 23% of females had diabetes. Only 70% of diabetic participants were on a special diet and 76% were receiving pharmaceutical treatment. Diabetic individuals had higher prevalence of hypertension (80% vs. 64%, p < 0.001) and hypercholesterolemia (63% vs. 51%, p < 0.001) and reported lower physical activity status (p < 0.001), compared with non-diabetic participants. After adjusting for various confounders, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were associated with a 144% (95% CI, 1.37-4.35) and 83% (95% CI, 1.13-2.94) higher likelihood of having diabetes, while moderate and vigorous exercise correlated with a 82% (95% CI, 0.09-0.81) and 67% (95% CI, 0.11-0.97) lower likelihood of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of our elderly sample had diabetes and other metabolic disorders, almost 25% of which were untreated. Promotion of physical activities, even in the elderly, may contribute to reducing their burden of diabetes and provide them with a better quality of living.

Low Total Testosterone Levels are Associated With the Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly Men: The Role of Body Weight, Lipids, Insulin Resistance, and Inflammation; The Ikaria Study

“…The prevalence of MetS varies from population to population, race to race, and between genders [6,7]. This is attributed to many predisposing conditions which increase in prevalence during aging such as obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, changes in the activity of the hypothalamushypophysis suprarenal axis, stress, and hypertension [8].…”

Determinants of the components of arterial pressure among older adults – The role of anthropometric and clinical factors: A multi-continent study

“…Abnormal levels of MAP are reported to affect peripheral resistance, which may produce changes in the vascular network and in the length and diameter of the vessels [8,26]. Despite evidence pointing to high BMI levels and diabetes as risk factors for hypertension [14,15], and for high levels of SBP and DBP [16], information on their role in the wider spectrum of arterial blood pressure including MAP and PP is sparse, and particularly so for older populations globally.…”

“…Despite evidence regarding the effect of overweight, obesity, and diabetes, on the progression of hypertension [3,14,15] and higher levels of SBP and DBP [16], information about their role in the wider spectrum of arterial blood pressure such as MAP and PP is sparse, particularly for the older population in general, and in the developing country setting. Given the rapid ageing of the global population, the alarming increase in hypertension among adults !50 years old both in developing and developed country settings, the complexity of arterial blood pressure, and the lack of global MAP and PP data, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of various determinants on different components of arterial blood pressure in nine countries using nationally-representative data from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.…”

Mediterranean lifestyle and cardiovascular disease prevention

“…Further details about the MEDIS study protocol have been extensively been published elsewhere (25,26).…”