Profile of Canadian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and factors associated with diabetes-related complications

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the profile of Canadian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), examine the prevalence of diabetes-related complications and investigate the factors associated with having common diabetes-related complications.

Methods: Self-reported data from Statistics Canada’s 2011 Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada (SLCDC) – Diabetes component were available to describe the prevalence of T2DM, related complications and co-morbidities. Associations with diabetes-related complications were evaluated using logistic regression models. Survey weights and bootstrapping resampling method were applied to account for the complex survey design.

Results: 2,341 T2DM respondents (weighted Canadian population estimate n=1,365,165) had a mean age of 62.9 years and diabetes duration of 10.6 years. The prevalence of diabetes-related complications and comorbidities were high: eye (34.0%), foot or leg (24.4%), cardiovascular (22.6%), renal (15.7%), neuropathy (10.8%), hypertension (68.4%) and high cholesterol (67.2%). Factors associated with diabetes-related complications were: Eye: > 65 years of age (odds ratio [OR] 3.7, 95% CI 2.4 – 5.5, p=<0.0001); household income < $29,999 (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 – 3.2, p=0.01), diabetes duration > 10 years (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6 – 3.5, p<0.001), cardiovascular complications (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 – 2.9, p=0.01). Renal: duration of diabetes 6 – 9 years (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4 – 6.3, p=0.02), duration of diabetes > 10 years (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 – 3.9, p=0.04) Cardiovascular: male sex (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3 – 2.7, p=0.0006), eye complication (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 – 3.0, p=0.007), foot or leg complication (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3 – 3.0, p=0.002). Foot or leg: cardiovascular complication (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4 – 3.1, p=0.0006). Neuropathy: household income $30,000 - $59,999 (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2 – 3.9, p=0.03); duration of diabetes >10 years (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 – 3.8, p=0.01), foot or leg complication (OR 7.0, 95% CI 4.1 – 11.8, p<0.0001), eye complication (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 – 3.7, p=0.006).

Conclusions: The presence of diabetes-related complications among Canadians with T2DM is multifactorial.