Prevalence of diabetes and ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk factors - The 1992 Singapore National Health Survey

OBJECTIVE - The purpose of the 1992 Singapore National Health Survey was to determine the current distribution of major noncommunicable diseases and t heir risk factors, including the prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia, i n Singapore. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A combination of disproportionate stratified sampling and systematic sampling were used to select the sample for the sur vey. The final number of respondents was 3,568, giving a response rate of 7 2.6%. An subjects fasted for 10 h and were given a 75-g glucose load, excep t those known to have diabetes. Blood was taken before and 2 h after the gl ucose load. Diagnosis of diabetes was based on 2-h glucose alone. RESULTS - The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes in Singapore resident s aged 18-69 years was 8.4%, with more than half (58.5%) previously undiagn osed. Prevalence of diabetes was high across all three ethnic groups. The p revalence of impaired glucose tolerance was 16.1%, that of hypertension was 6.5%, and 19.0% were regular smokers. The total cholesterol (mean +/- SD) of nondiabetic Singaporeans was 5.18 +/- 1.02 mmol/l; 47.9% had cholesterol >5.2 mmol/l, while 15.4% had levels >6.3 mmol/l. Mean LDL cholesterol was 3.31 +/- 0.89 mmol/l; HDL cholesterol was 1.30 +/- 0.32 mmol/l, and triglyc eride was 1.23 +/- 0.82 mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS - Prevalence of diabetes was high across all three ethnic group s. Ethnic differences in prevalence of diabetes, insulin resistance, centra l obesity, hypertension, smoking, and lipid profile could explain the diffe rential coronary heart disease rates in the three major ethnic groups in Si ngapore.