Prevalence, treatment, control of type 2 diabetes and the risk factors among elderly people in Shenzhen: results from the urban Chinese population

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is regarded as one of the major public health problems worldwide. We aim to investigate the prevalence, treatment, and control rate in the Chinese urban population aged 65 years or older and also identified associated risk factors. METHODS: One hundred twenty-four thousand seven participants aged 65 years old and older were recruited from January 2018 through December 2018 at local community health service centers in Shenzhen. Fasting plasma glucose, as well as other biochemical indicators, were measured by standard methods. The analysis of multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess associated risk factors of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Approximately 22.5% of elderly urban Chinese residents had diabetes. Among people with diabetes, 54.8% received medical treatment. Only 34.4% of those who were treated had their glycemic controlled. The prevalence of T2D increased with increasing age before 80 years old, male, inadequate active physical activity, drinking, previous history of CVD, higher BMI, central obesity, and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that attention should be paid to the prevention and control of T2D in Chinese urban elderly population. The health policy department should develop effective strategies aimed at improving health care management of T2D in elderly adults.