Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Qatari Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Attending Primary Health Care Centres, 2014

Background: Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus experience a substantial risk of cardiovascular disease owing to modifiable risk factors. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Qatari patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus attending primary health care centres 2014. Method: Cross sectional design was used. Total of 532 Qatari diabetic patients attending primary healthcare were enrolled. Data was collected using interview administered questionnaire, anthropometric & blood pressure measurement and medical records. Cardiovascular risk was assessed by using General Framingham Risk Prediction Score (GFRP). Results: GFRP score categorized (12.2%) of participants as low risk and (57.6%) as in high and very high risk for cardiovascular disease in 10-years. Lifestyle-related risk factors were dominant among participants. The majority of patients did not consume recommended daily fruit and vegetables (94.2%) and (91.2%) respectively. Additionally, they did not practice recommended frequency of physical activity and were currently smoking in (71.4%) and (4.1%) respectively. Metabolic factors were second common risk factors. The combined overweight and obesity were leading metabolic factors as calculated in (94%) of them. More than two thirds showed uncontrolled diabetes status and (27.6%) were within undesirable range for HDL. The third common cardiovascular disease risk factors were medical and family history. Three quarters of them found to have hyperlipidaemia and (72.7%) were with history of hypertension. The family history of premature cardiovascular disease occurrence in father and/or brother was reported in (16.9% and 13%) of participants respectively. Conclusion: Reduction of cardiovascular disease burden necessitate further focus on preventive interventions especially the lifestyle related risk factors.