The present study shows that lifestyle-related chronic diseases
including hypertension, heart disease and chronic kidney disease
have significant cross-sectional relationships with diabetes, but
only hypertension shows a positive association with subsequent
NOD. The prevalence of hypertension is high, over 60%, among
older Taiwanese. Hypertension is linked to diabetes and may play a
causal role in the etiology of diabetes[21]. Coronary heart disease
and high uric acid are also associated with higher risk for NOD[13].
However, the present study observed no such associations. CKD
which showed a cross-sectional relationship with diabetes, was not
associated with the development of subsequent NOD in the present
study. It is generally believed that obesity, hypertension, diabetes,
and heart disease are the risk factors for chronic kidney disease