Cardiovascular risk and protective factors in adults with and without diabetes mellitus (Italy, 2016-19).

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a major cause of the disease burden worldwide and contribute substantially to health care costs, in particular in people with diabetes. Their incidence can be reduced by multi-factorial interventions. This study intends to describe the occurrence of CV risk and protective/preventive factors in the adult population resident in Italy, to better target public health interventions.

Methods: Data collected in 2016-19 from adults aged 18-69 years, participating in the Italian Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (PASSI) based on a cross-sectional design, were used. The frequency of CV risk/protective factors was estimated in people with and without diabetes. The contribution of socioeconomic level (SEL) to CV risk was also explored.

Results: Among 129 989 respondents, 4.7% received a diagnosis of diabetes. Many CV risk factors were significantly more frequent in people with diabetes, who often presented multiple risk factors. At the same time, they adopted protective behaviours and received treatments and preventive interventions more often than those without diabetes. Relevant disparities were observed between SEL groups in diabetic people, with the least advantaged showing a worse risk profile.

Conclusions: Adults resident in Italy with diabetes are exposed to CV risk factors more often than those without diabetes. However, they show an increased attention to control these factors and receive more frequent health care, although less than ideal in absolute terms. There is an opportunity to reduce the important CV disease burden in the population through preventive/health promotion targeted interventions, prioritizing people with diabetes and of lower SEL.