Cardiovascular Risk Management in Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes in Mexico From 2016 to 2023: A Retrospective Analysis of Nationally Representative Surveys

BACKGROUND: Effective cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management is essential for optimal diabetes care. Here, we estimated the prevalence and determinants of CVD risk factor control among individuals with diagnosed diabetes in Mexico. METHODS: We analyzed data from individuals ≥20 years with diagnosed diabetes from 2016 to 2023 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Surveys. We estimated the prevalence of glycemic, blood pressure, noncurrent smoking, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and combined CVD risk factor control. We estimated use of blood pressure-lowering, cholesterol-lowering, and glucose-lowering medication and explored determinants of control achievement using logistic regression. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 2916 participants, representing 43.2 million adults with diagnosed diabetes during 2016 to 2023. In 2023, glycemic control was 29% (95% CI, 21%-38%), blood pressure control 22.9% (95% CI, 14%-31%), and noncurrent smoking 89% (95% CI, 81%-96%). The prevalence of high or very-high CVD risk using Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2-Diabetes increased from 59.8% (95% CI, 52.1%-67.0%) in 2016 to 68.4% (95% CI, 55.6%-78.9%) in 2023, representing ~5.1 million adults. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control increased from 2.8% (95% CI, 1.2%-4.4%) in 2016 to 6.6% (95% CI, 1.9%-11.2%) in 2023 and statin use from 5.5% in 2016 to 63% in 2023. Combined risk factor control achievement was low due to suboptimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control and was more likely achieved in women, younger individuals, and those with college education or living in states with higher socioeconomic position. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increasing CVD risk during this period, glycemic and CVD risk factor management for adults with diabetes in Mexico remains suboptimal. Our findings suggest a need for strategies to improve CVD risk management to reduce diabetes-related mortality and complications.