The scope for cardiovascular disease risk factor intervention among people with diabetes mellitus in England: a population-based analysis from the Health Surveys for England 1991-94

Summary Aims To examine the scope for cardiovascular disease risk factor intervention among diabetic patients in England was examined using data from the Health Surveys for England 1991–94. This evaluation included calculating the proportion who require lipid lowering therapy according to the Standing Medical Advisory Committee (SMAC) guidelines. Methods The Health Survey for England is an annual, nationwide household-based in which anthropomorphic data, blood pressure, lipids and details of cardiovascular risk factors are collected from households after random stratification for geographical and socio-economic factors within a population sample of 39 639 adults, 970 (2.3%) diabetic subjects were identified. Results Overall, 51% of those with diabetes had hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥ 95 mmHg or being on antihypertensive therapy), 27% were obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) and 19% were current smokers. One-third of those with hypertension were untreated and less than one-half of those on treatment had their hypertension controlled to below 160/95 mmHg. More than one-quarter had poor glycaemic control (glycated Hb > 11% or an HbA1c > 7.5%). Of those aged