Epidemiological analysis of patients with Type 2 diabetes in France

• Published in: Journal of diabetes and its complications Vol. 14; no. 5; pp. 242 - 249
• Main Authors: Grimaldi, A., Grangé, V., Allannic, H., Passa, P., Rodier, M., Cornet, P., Duprat, I., Duc-Dodon, P., Lemaire, A., Liard, F., Eschwège, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.09.2000; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Acarbose - adverse effects; Acarbose - therapeutic use; Adult; Aged; Analysis. Health state; Associated diseases and complications; Biological and medical sciences; Complications; Databases as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diabetic Angiopathies - epidemiology; Diabetic Nephropathies - epidemiology; Diabetic Neuropathies - epidemiology; Diabetic Retinopathy - epidemiology; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Epidemiological data; Epidemiology; Family Practice; Female; France - epidemiology; General aspects; Heart Diseases - epidemiology; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - adverse effects; Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Type 2 diabetes; France; Europe; Type 2 diabetes; Epidemiological data; Complications; Endocrinopathy; Human; Obesity; Association; Demography; Prevalence; Treatment; Nutrition disorder; Complication; Non insulin dependent diabetes; Epidemiology; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 1056-8727; 1873-460X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1056-8727(00)00120-3

This paper presents the baseline epidemiological data from 5548 patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in a French observational study that aims to examine the safety, tolerability and use of acarbose as prescribed by general practitioners (GPs). Patients were recruited and monitored by a representative sample of GPs. Recruitment did not depend on a patient's suitability for acarbose treatment. The data revealed that the mean age of the patient population was 63 years, and that more than 50% of patients were over 65 years old. The population was markedly overweight [mean body mass index(BMI): males, 28.4 kg/m 2; females, 29.1 kg/m 2] and the mean duration of diabetes was 10 (±7.3) years. Over 37% of patients had at least one diabetic complication, and the frequency of complications increased with both age and the duration of diabetes. The most frequently reported complications were cardiac (17.8%), vascular (14.5%) and ocular (12%). At recruitment, almost 90% of patients were being treated with oral antidiabetic agents (OADs). Sulphonylureas (74%) and biguanides (50%) were the most commonly prescribed agents. Acarbose was used to treat 17% of patients and 1% were receiving insulin. GPs set glycaemic treatment goals for 44% of patients in the study. Fasting glycaemia was the primary goal for 37% of the total study population, and HbA 1c levels for 21% of patients. Postprandial glycaemia was generally given as a secondary or tertiary goal. In conclusion, this study provides the most up-to-date epidemiological data for patients with type 2 diabetes in France.