Hypercholesterolemia Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control among the Elderly: The 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey, Malaysia.

Aims: This study provides population-based estimates on the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates of hypercholesterolemia among the elderly in Malaysia. Study Design: Analysis of secondary data from a cross sectional population-based survey was done. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted throughout Malaysia in 2011. Methodology: A total of 2764 respondents (15.5%) were selected in this study; the elderly subjects are from the secondary data analysis of 60 years and older. Results: The overall prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 55.4%. The awareness rate for hypercholesterolemia was 39.5%. Out of those who were aware, treatment with medication was conferred to 77.7%. Control rate for hypercholesterolemia was 53.8%. Utilising multiple logistic regression analysis, factors associated with higher awareness rate of hypercholesterolemia were urban residents, secondary education level and Indian ethnicity; the factor associated with higher treatment rates was government/semi government employees; factors associated with higher control rate were males and Indian ethnicity. Conclusion: The overall prevalence, treatment and control rate of hypercholesterolemia among the elderly in Malaysia were high in comparison to awareness rate in this population.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus among the elderly: The 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey, Malaysia

Diabetes mellitus is an important cardiovascular risk factor. The objective of this study was to provide population-based estimates on the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rate of diabetes among the older persons in Malaysia. Analysis of secondary data from a cross-sectional national population-based survey was done, which was conducted in 2011 throughout Malaysia. A total of 2764 respondents (15.5%) were older persons. The overall prevalence of diabetes among older persons was 34.4% in which 65.2% were aware of their diabetes status. Out of those who were aware, 87.5% had been treated. Only 21.8% of those treated had their diabetes controlled. The results of multiple logistic regression showed that the factors associated with higher awareness rates were women, Indians and higher income groups; factors associated with higher treatment rates were urban residents and those who were married and widow/widower/ divorcee. There was a high overall prevalence, awareness and treatment rate of diabetes among older persons in Malaysia but with suboptimal control rate.