[Evaluation of the type II diabetic population attended by a primary care team]

To find the degree of control, the prevalence of complications and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), and the drugs treatment used for type II diabetics.

A descriptive crossover study.

Rekaldeberri Health Centre, Bilbao.

202 diabetes II patients selected at random.

Data were gathered by interviews, physical examinations and further tests.

52.2% of the sample were women. Average age was 66.6 50% of the diabetics had been diagnosed for 8 years or more. Microalbuminuria was detected in 21.9% of the patients, Microangiopathy in 24.8%, Neuropathy in 11.4% and diabetic foot in 10.4%. The years of evolution and appearance of complications had a significant connection. 64.4% of patients had a good or acceptable metabolic control. Worse metabolic control of diabetes was connected with the appearance of retinopathy and neuropathy. 47.5% were hypertensive. 21.3% smoked, 35.6% had cholesterol figures over 250 mgr/dl. Their mean Body mass index was 28.1. 40.6% were treated exclusively by diet, 9.9% with insulin and 35.6% with medicines taken orally.

A high percentage of diabetics had a good or acceptable control of their disease. Prevalence of complications was less than in other studies, whereas CVRFs were similar. We do not discount the presence of bias in the comparison because of different diagnostic methods.