New findings on Type 2 diabetes in first generation Chinese migrants settled in Italy: the CHinese In Prato (CHIP) cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND
Chinese are one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in Europe, and their health has become a key issue to host nations. Although type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a big burden among migrant populations, data on Chinese immigrants in Europe are limited.

METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was performed in 2014 adopting principles of community based participatory research to investigate T2DM, diagnosed by the American Diabetes Association fasting criteria, in Chinese first generation migrants aged 16 to 59 years settled in Prato (Italy). Association with different factors was investigated using logistic regression.

RESULTS
Of the 1,608 participants, 177 had T2DM (11.0%), 119 being newly diagnosed (7.4%). Among subjects with diabetes, 58 (32.8%) were aware of the disease; among subjects with diabetes aware of their condition 46 (79%) were treated with glucose lowering drugs. Age standardized (WHO 2001 population) prevalence of T2DM was 9.6% (95%Cl 9.1% to 10.2%), being 12.0% (95%Cl 11.0% to 12.9%) in men, and 7.8% (95%Cl 7.1% to 8.4%) in women. At adjusted logistic regression diabetes was associated with hypertension, current smoking, adiposity indices (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, body mass index), and high triglycerides. T2DM, adiposity indices, and high triglycerides were not associated with duration of stay in Italy.

CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of T2DM among first-generation Chinese immigrants in Europe stresses the need for specific health programs for T2DM early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. There is an urgent need for policies to support this group since current policies will produce major social and economic costs.