Blood-glucose control status in type 2 diabetes patients with high cardiovascular risk

Abstract

The risk of cardiovascular injury and death in type 2 diabetes patients is 2 to 4 times higher than in the general population. Patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk were defined as having 10 years of diabetes without end-organ damage and/or any additional risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, or obesity.

Aims: To investigate blood-glucose control status and some related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes with high cardiovascular risk.

Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study of 85 diabetes patients with high cardiovascular risk who visited the Outpatient Department, Bach Mai Hospital from November 2021 to August 2022.

Results: The average age is 55.9 years old, with 60.0% of the population being female. When follow-up began, the ratio of HbA1C < 7 was 51.8%; and the mean HbA1c was 7.79 ± 2.1% and the mean fasting plasma glucose was 8.78 ± 3.05 mmol/L. After the follow-up period, HbA1C < 7 was 50.8%, mean HbA1c was 7.21 ± 1.13%, and the rate of noncompliance with treatment was 20%.

High cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes include: dyslipidemia (91.8%) and hypertension (44.7%), smoking (16.5%), obesity (24.7%), and family history of early cardiovascular disease (3.5%). 80% of patients had 1-2 concomitant cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusion: Blood glucose control is associated to exercise regimen, medication compliance, number of hypoglycemic drug classes, and years of diabetes. The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes who are at high cardiovascular risk do not achieve multi-risk factor control goals, which is mainly correlated to medication compliance.