OBJECTIVE: To measure the risk factors and treatment profile of diabetes patients treated in primary health care (PHC) in order to evaluate potential gender differences. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of consecutive diabetes patients. SETTING: 229 PHC centres in Sweden. SUBJECTS: 5082 men and 4293 women with diabetes were investigated (1998-2001). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Glycaemic control (HbA1c), blood pressure, lipid levels, prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria. Proportions of patients with previous ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and specific drug treatment. RESULTS: Male patients generally had better blood pressure (