Objective: To investigate the distribution of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia among elderly population in China in 2010.
Methods: In 2010, The 3rd Chronic Non-communicable Disease & Risk Factor Surveillance in China was conducted in 31 provinces and Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps. A stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used from 162 National Disease Surveillance Points (DSPs). A total of 19 981 residents aged ≥ 60 years received a set of standardized questionnaire interview, physical examinations and laboratory test for lipid & glucose levels in blood. After complex weighting of the sample, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were compared for different gender, age groups and regions.
Results: After complex weighting, among elderly, the overall prevalence of hypertension was 66.9%, and the rates were greater in the eastern areas (67.9%) than in the western areas (62.5%) (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference between urban areas and rural areas (P > 0.05); the prevalence of diabetes was 19.6%, the rates were greater in the eastern areas (21.5%) than in the western areas (17.7%) (P < 0.05), and greater in the urban areas (25.0%) than in the rural areas (17.0%) (P < 0.05) ; the prevalence of high triglycerides, high blood cholesterol and high low-density lipoprotein were all higher in the urban areas (12.4%, 6.4% and 5.2%) than in the rural areas (10.1%, 4.2% and 2.8%) (all P values < 0.05), and also higher for women (12.9%, 6.9% and 4.7%) than for men (8.7%, 2.9% and 2.4%) (all P values < 0.05); the prevalence of hypertension in people with abnormal blood lipids (74.3%) was higher than those with normal blood lipids (65.7%) (P < 0.05); the prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia in people with diabetes (77.3%, 23.2%) were both greater than the prevalence in non-diabetic group (64.5%, 12.6%) (both P values < 0.05).
Conclusion: The present study showed high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia among elderly people in China. The rates were greater in the eastern than in the western and higher for women than for men. The rates of diabetes and dyslipidemia were significantly higher in the urban areas than in the rural areas. Comprehensive prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia among the elderly should be enhanced.