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CV risk control differs by sex for patients with type 2 diabetes
Composite control of cardiovascular risk factors varies by sex for patients with type 2 diabetes, with women’s significantly lower than men’s, according to research published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.
The findings from a cross-sectional study of adults from three primary care settings highlight the need for women to be informed early about their CVD risks, educated on ways to reduce them and treated aggressively.
Joni L. Strom Williams, MD, MPH, of the Center for Health Disparities Research, department of medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, and colleagues examined 680 patients (56% men; 67% non-Hispanic black; 78% earned <$35,000 annually) with type 2 diabetes.
Individual risk outcome control was defined as HbA1c level <7%, blood pressure <130 mm Hg/80 mm Hg and LDL cholesterol level <100 mg/dL. Composite control was defined as having HbA1c, BP and LDL under control simultaneously.
The researchers use linear and logistic regression models to evaluate differences in individual means between men and women, as well as individual and composite outcomes control; adjustments were made for relevant covariates.
Women showed significantly higher levels than men in unadjusted mean systolic BP (134 mm Hg vs. 130 mm Hg; P=.005) and LDL cholesterol (99.7 mg/dL vs. 87.6 mg/dL; P<.001). Diastolic BP (beta=3.09; 95% CI, 0.56-5.63) was also significantly higher in women, based on adjusted linear regression.
Composite control was seen in 12.4% of the entire sample, and women showed poorer control than men (5.9% vs. 17.3%). The likelihood for men to have composite risk factor control was significantly higher (OR=2.9; 95% CI, 1.37-6.13) compared with women, adjusted logistic models showed.
“These results point to the need for more research on composite CVD risk factor control in women with diabetes,” the researchers wrote. “Future research must focus on understanding the potential mediators causing gender differences in control.”
Disclosure: This research was funded by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.