ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LIFESTYLE CLINIC INTERVENTIONS ON CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK FACTORS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Abstract

Background: Cardiometabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, represent a significant global health burden. While lifestyle interventions are recommended, evidence from real-world clinical settings in Saudi Arabia remains limited.

Objective: To evaluate the association between participation in a comprehensive lifestyle clinic intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors among adult patients in Saudi Arabia over a six-month period.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 281 participants enrolled at the Lifestyle Clinic of King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah. Participants were categorized into metabolic (n=137) and smoking cessation (n=144) cohorts. Longitudinal changes in BMI, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, and total cholesterol were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months using linear mixed-effects models. Smoking cessation outcomes were evaluated using generalized estimating equations.

Results: At 6 months, participants demonstrated significant reductions in BMI (-0.92 kg/m², 95% CI -1.79 to -0.05; p=0.036) and total cholesterol (-0.25 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.03; p=0.022) in adjusted analyses. Among active smokers at baseline, 24.1% had quit smoking at 6 months. No significant changes were observed in systolic blood pressure or HbA1c levels.

Conclusion: Participation in a structured lifestyle clinic program was associated with improvements in BMI and lipid profile among Saudi adults with cardiometabolic risk factors over 6 months. These findings support the potential role of comprehensive lifestyle programs in routine clinical practice to address the growing burden of metabolic diseases in Saudi Arabia.