INTRODUCTION

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which include among others diabetes mellitus (DM), disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, where they cause over 31 million deaths each year. The aim was to describe the methodological aspects and results of the study of the prevalence of DM, glucose metabolism disorders and cardiovascular risk factors in Mar del Plata-Batán (MdP-B), Argentina, in 2015-2016.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used in a population aged 35 years and over. The sample was multi-stage, stratified by education level of the head of household and probabilistic in the first stage. The study consisted of two phases: selfreport surveys at home; physical examination, anthropometric measurements, FINDRISC questionnaire and blood analytical determinations in research institutes.

RESULTS

A total of 1034 participants were surveyed, 37.1% underwent laboratory determinations, 54.7% were women, and the median age was 54±12.9 years. Prevalences found were DM: crude 22.1%, adjusted 21.1%; arterial hypertension: crude 41.2%, adjusted 38.9%; high cholesterol: crude 37.3%, adjusted 35.7%. There was a higher prevalence of DM in males.

DISCUSSION

MdP-B showed an age-adjusted prevalence of DM significantly higher than that of Argentina and men had a worse cardio-metabolic situation, aspects that should be taken into account in NCD prevention policies.

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