Publication:

Assessment of cardiovascular risk among diabetic patients in an urban area of Kancheepuram district, India: a cross sectional study

Background Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem. Non communicable diseases like coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, obesity are increasing in number and overtakes the communicable diseases with respect to morbidity and mortality. Diabetic populations have a higher risk of developing CAD than the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases among diabetic patients.

Methods This is a cross sectional study done among the urban adult population in Kancheepuram district. Sample size of 400 diabetic patients was studied by using consecutive sampling method. Data was collected by administering a pre tested structured questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk was assessed based on PROCAM scoring, a 10 years risk assessment score. The study was done for a period of three months from January to March 2018. Data analysis was done in SPSS software version 22.

Results Among the diabetic patients, 53.5% of them are in high risk category based on PROCAM score for developing cardiovascular disease. A statistical significant association was found between cardiovascular risk and factors like socioeconomic status and overweight/obesity.

Conclusions This study reveals that the diabetic populations are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hence awareness about the risk should be created and appropriate intervention at early stages should be implemented at primary health care level.