Glucose intolerance and cardiovascular risk factors in Hong Kong: Data from two occupation-based cross-sectional surveys

Abstract Aims To examine the distribution of plasma glucose and related cardiovascular risk factors in two occupation-based cross-sectional surveys in a Chinese ethnic population. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys in a Hong Kong working population. In 1990, 1496 participants aged 18–66 years underwent an OGTT, anthropometric, and other biochemical measures. Identical measures were collected from 534 participants aged 20–72 years in 2001–2003. Data were direct age-standardised to compare CVD risk factor prevalence. Linear regression modelling was used to examine the distribution of continuous CVD risk factors. Results Mean (SD) 2-h plasma glucose values were 5.6 mmol/l (2.1) in 1990 and 6.5 mmol/l (2.5) in 2001–2003, an apparent increase of 0.5 mmol/l (95% CI 0.3 to 0.7, p Conclusions We observed a relatively adverse glycaemia profile, which may have worsened over time, in two healthy populations of survey respondents, with comparatively low rates of most CVD risk factors. This has implications for the future burden of disease associated with hyperglycaemia in this population.