Abstract Body: Introduction: Glycemic and lipid assessment in the population is recommended by the WHO as well as the target to halt the rise of diabetes within 2025 (2010 as baseline). The Italian Ministry of Health - CCM supported and financed their monitoring through national Health Examination Surveys (HESs) conducted within the CUORE Project. A new survey started in 2023 and is still ongoing, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health – CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI.
Hypothesis: This analysis aims to monitor the glycemia/diabetes WHO target and lipids profiles in the Italian general population.
Methods: In the period 2023-2025 a new HES included fasting serum glycemia, total and HDL cholesterolemia and triglyceridemia assessment. Up to now, data from random samples of residents in 17 Regions (out of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy are available (1732 men, 1749 women aged 35-74 years). Lipids profiles and glycemia were assayed by a central lab. Elevated glycemia/diabetes (DM): glycemia ≥126 mg/dl and/or on medication. Elevated total cholesterol/hypercholesterolemia (HChol): total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dl and/or on medication. Statistics were standardized by Italian 2024 age-sex distribution.
Results: DM was 9% (95% confidence interval: 6-12%) in men and 7 % (5-9%) in women, and glycemia mean level was 98 mg/dl (96-100 mg/dl) and 92 mg/dl (90-94 mg/dl) respectively. Among those with DM, about 3 in 10 men and 1 in 10 women were unaware; about 2 and 4 of 10 were aware but not on medication, respectively. HChol prevalence was 26% in men (22-30%) and 29% in women (25-33%). Total cholesterol mean level was 194 mg/dl (191-198 mg/dl) in men and 202 mg/dl (199-206 mg/dl) in women. Mean level of HDL cholesterol was 50 mg/dl (49-51 mg/dl) in men and 61 mg/dl (60-62 mg/dl) in women; mean level of triglycerides was 119 mg/dl (112-126 mg/dl) and 95 mg/dl (90-99 mg/dl) respectively. Among those with HChol, about 2 in 10 men and 3 in 10 women were unaware; about 3 of 10 were aware but not on medication both in men and women.
Conclusions: Considering 2023-2025 preliminary data, a decrease of glycemia, total cholesterol and triglycerides mean values resulted, as well as of DM and HChol prevalence compared to 2008. However, improvements on their awareness and control are still necessary. Prevalence of unaware persons with DM and HChol supports the WHO recommendation to monitor targets by periodic survey based on measured data - HESs.