Prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes in the Gulf Region: Results from the PACT-MEA study

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. The study will help to inform the country's health systems in identifying opportunities and challenges for optimal management of T2D and ASCVD.

Study design

The study was a sub-analysis within the PACT-MEA study, a noninterventional, cross-sectional, observational study, which included 1062 adults from Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar diagnosed with T2D.

Methods

The presence and the risk of ASCVD were determined from patient medical records. Statistical analyses included prevalence estimates stratified by sex, age and ASCVD type.

Results

Among the three countries included in this study, Bahrain had the highest prevalence at 36.6 %, followed by Qatar and Kuwait at 23.4 % and 19.4 %, respectively. The unweighted prevalence was significantly higher in men and increased with age. Coronary artery disease was the most common type of ASCVD, followed by cerebrovascular and peripheral artery disease. Furthermore, participants in all three countries were classified as having a high or very high ASCVD risk based on the European Society of Cardiology 2021 guidelines.

Conclusion

Based on the prevalence in this study, one in five participants had established ASCVD across Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, and all the participants investigated were at high or very high risk. Study results indicate an immediate need to implement policy measures that include preventative strategies on the common risk factors to reduce the high CVD mortality and morbidity in the Gulf Region.