Prevalence, awareness and control of diabetes in urban area of north of Iran, 2009

Diabetes is one of the major public health problems and an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Iran has become increasingly modernized. This factor has led to a higher prevalence obesity, insulin resistance, cardiovascular events, and type 2 diabetes. This was a community base cross-sectional study in a representative sample of urban population (2076 adults aged 18–79 years) from 16 cities in northern Iran. Subjects were interviewed and examined by a trained research team. Blood samples were drawn for biochemical testing. Data analysis was carried out with the SPSS Software, version 14. The prevalence of diabetes was 12.4 % (9.9 % in men, 14.1 % in women, p < 0.002) and increased with age in both sexes. Among diabetic patients, 78.3 % were aware of the diagnosis that 79.7 % received treatment but more than 60 % had not good control. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, family history of diabetes, abdominal obesity, generalized obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with diabetes. In comparison to other studies, the prevalence of diabetes in north of Iran is higher in urban area. These findings indicate that a comprehensive national program for screening and management of this disease is urgently needed to avert the cardiovascular disease epidemic in this area.