[Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population of the autonomous region of Madrid (Spain): the PREDIMERC study].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of diabetes and major cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population of the autonomous region of Madrid (Spain).

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 2007. A random sample of the population aged 30-74 years old was selected. A fixed sample size per age stratum was assigned, weighted by the real age-specific distribution of the population of the autonomous region of Madrid. An epidemiological survey was conducted by telephone. Subsequently, physical examination was performed and a fasting blood sample was taken in the health center for glucose, cholesterol and lipid fraction determinations.

RESULTS: We included 2268 people with a mean age of 48.3 years old (52% women). The response rate was 56.4%. Diabetes was found in 8.1% (95%CI: 7.0-8.9) of the adult population and impaired fasting glucose was found in 5.9% (95%CI: 4.8-6.1). The prevalence of risk factors was as follows: hypertension in 29.3% (95%CI: 27.3-31.5), hypercholesterolemia in 23.3% (95%CI: 21.8-26.1), overweight grade II in 22.8% (20.8-25.0), obesity in 21.7% (95%CI: 19.8-23.6), and central obesity in 23.9% (95%CI: 21.8-26.1). A total of 85.5% (95%CI: 83.1-87.1) were sedentary in their leisure time and 28.4% (95%CI: 26.3-30.3) were smokers.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes in the autonomous region of Madrid is intermediate in relation to other regions of Spain. Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent, and are higher in men than in women. Overweight and obesity, affecting 4.5 out of every 10 adults, should be considered a priority for health interventions in cardiovascular disease prevention.