Prevalence and risk factors of diabetes among urban residents in Luzhou City, China

Great variation exists in the prevalence rates of diabetes across different geographic regions in China. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among a Chinese population in Western China and to explore associated risk factors.

Adult residents in Luzhou City in Sichuan Province, China, were selected using a multistage area probability design. A validated questionnaire, physical examination, and lab tests were administered to the participants. Bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis using logistic regression were performed to determine factors that may affect the risk of diabetes.

The final study sample included 3513 participants with complete questionnaires (response rate was 97.58%). The prevalence rate of diabetes was 17.76%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that residents who fit within the following categories were associated with higher risk for diabetes after controlling for participant demographic factors and other covariates: age groups 50–59, 60–69, and 70 or above; a monthly income of less than ¥1999; family history of diabetes; using mainly animal fat as cooking oil; having a white collar job; BMI above 28; and hypertriglyceridemia. In addition to identifying risk factors previously reported, this study indicates that dietary intake factors may be important to the development of diabetes.

This study contributes to the literature of prevalence and risk factors of diabetes in Western China. Future research is needed to further evaluate these risk factors.