© 2005 Diabetes UK. Diabetic Medicine, 22, 1047–1053 1047 Correspondence to: Isabel Larrañaga, Avd. Navarra n. 4, San Sebastian 20013, Spain. E-mail: ilarranaga@ej-gv.es Abstract Aims To establish the relationship between socio-economic status and the prevalence of known Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and chronic diabetic complications. Methods In 2000, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 61 general practitioners (GPs) who studied 65 651 people older than 24 years. Of those, 2985 known Type 2 diabetic patients were registered. The main outcome measures were: diabetes prevalence, major cardiovascular risk factors, chronic diabetic complications and primary care services utilization in Type 2 diabetic patients. Socio-economic status was based on area-based socio-economic measures. Results The prevalence of known Type 2 diabetes was higher in patients of lower socio-economic status (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.77–2.28), especially among women (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.91–2.73). In Type 2 diabetes patients, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and abnormal levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and HbA 1c were more prevalent among those from lower socio- economic status. Macroangiopathy was inversely associated with socio-economic status after adjustment for clinical and demographic variables. Patients of lower socio-economic status more frequently visited primary care services than those of higher status. Conclusions This study shows an association between deprivation and Type 2 diabetes prevalence, cardiovascular risk factors and chronic diabetic complica- tions in Type 2 diabetes patients. Despite a greater use of health services by less wealthy patients, they showed worse glycaemic control and more chronic complications. Besides clinical variables, socio-economic status and environ- mental information need to be considered in the assessment of risk profile of diabetic patients by health professionals and by health service planners. Diabet. Med. 22, 1047–1053 (2005) Keywords chronic complications, health services use, risk factors, socio- economic inequalities, Type 2 diabetes Abbreviations CI, confidence interval; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; OR, odds ratio; SES, socio-economic status Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. Oxford, UK DME Diabetic Medicine 0742-3071 Blackwell Publishing, 2005 22 Original Article Original article Socio-economic inequalities in Type 2 diabetes in the Basque CountryI. Larrañaga et al. Socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and chronic diabetic complications in the Basque Country, Spain I. Larrañaga*, J. M. Arteagoitia*, J. L. Rodriguez*, F. Gonzalez*, S. Esnaola†, J. A. Piniés‡, the Sentinel Practice Network of the Basque Country§ *Epidemiology Unit, Public Health Service, Basque Government, Vitoria-Gasteiz, †Studies and Research Service. Department of Health, Basque Government, ‡Endocrinology and Metabolism Department, Cruces Hospital, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Baracaldo and §Primary Care Centers, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Spain Accepted 18 October 2004