RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Our aim in this study was to quantify the prevalence over time and identify determinants of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) use in patients with diabetes with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a representative Canadian sample from 2005 to 2014, and to determine whether the use of ASA among patients with diabetes changed after the Diabetes Canada clinical practice guidelines updates. METHODS: Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey were used. Respondents who were at least 35 years of age and diagnosed with diabetes---not during pregnancy---were included and categorized into secondary prevention (previous heart disease or stroke) or primary prevention (high or low CVD risk) groups. A stratified and weighted multivariable logistic regression model was used to quantify ASA use and identify determinants of use. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 15,100 respondents with diabetes (weighted sample of â¼2,429,900). Approximately 70% and 50% of Canadians with diabetes used ASA for secondary and primary prevention, respectively. Overall, the trend of ASA use was stable over the study period in both the secondary and the primary prevention groups. This trend did not change after the clinical practice guidelines update in 2008. Having a regular doctor and older age were associated with increased use of ASA. Other significant determinants independently associated with ASA use included income, body mass index, smoking, immigration status, gender and chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with diabetes in Canada, ASA appears to be underutilized in secondary prevention and high-risk primary prevention populations. Future research should address whether regular use of ASA is associated with clinical outcomes among patients with diabetes.