Evaluation of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among Saudi diabetic patients attending primary health care service

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is currently the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. For each risk factor present, the risk of cardiovascular death is about three times greater in people with diabetes than people without diabetes.ObjectivesTo determine the risk factors for cardiovascular disease among patients with type 2 diabetes. To stratify the patients into risk categories to develop coronary arteries disease (CAD) based on the British Joint Societies risk chart. To assess the awareness and implementation of the risk assessment charts by primary care physiciansSubject and methodsCross sectional study was designed. Sixty six (66 patients) diabetic patients were selected randomly by simple selection, from them 29 were males and 37 were females. Patients’ medical records were reviewed. The following parameters were detected; blood pressure, lipid profile, weight, height, smoking and degree of glycemic control.A questionnaire was designed and distributed to randomly selected physicians working in primary health care assessed their awareness and implementation of risk assessment charts was done.ResultsUncontrolled diabetes was found to be the common risk factor followed by uncontrolled lipid profile, obesity, uncontrolled systolic blood pressure and smoking. Seven percent (7%) of male group felled in highest risk group in comparison with 1% in female group (P < 0.05), while 31% in male group felled in mild risk group in comparison with 90% in female group (P < 0.05). Sixty two percent (62%) in male group felled in high risk group in comparison with 9% in female group (P < 0.05). Criteria for ranking in risk class differed between male and female group. Forty one physicians were contacted and received the questionnaire. Twenty nine (70.7%) physicians were responded to the questionnaire. Twenty two (22) informed that they were aware about risk assessment score systems. Fourteen (14) physicians informed that they were aware about the BJSs charts but only two informed that they had used it to assess their patients.ConclusionClustering of multi risk factors is a serious event which may raise the risk category of diabetic patients. For each risk category the risk factors may differed between male and female patients. More studies are recommended to study distribution of risk factors between male and female diabetic patients. Attention should be directed toward raising the awareness about the risk assessment scoring system and encouraging physicians to use it.