Publication

Abstract : Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It occurs approximately 15 years earlier in people with diabetes than in those without diabetes. The present study was done with the primary objective of determining the cardiovascular risk (CVR) of patients with T2DM attending outpatient departments of a tertiary care centre in Kerala. Methodology: A quantitative nonexperimental descriptive design was used to collect data from 150 T2DM patients using purposive sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. The clinical data and CVR factors were assessed using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) standardized tool. Results: All the subjects were found to have a risk of developing CVD, varying from low to high. The CVD risk was high in 28.7% (43) intermediate in 41.3% (62), and low in 30% (45). A statistically significant association was found between age, gender, systolic blood pressure (SBP), HbA1C, and CVD risk among subjects. A booklet on the management of CVR factors was also prepared specifically for T2DM clients. Conclusion: Over the past decades, there has been a substantial improvement in the management of T2DM. However, the need for cardiovascular prevention largely looks unmet as evidenced by the burden of CVD associated with diabetes. The fact that CVR can be assessed by a simple tool and the results can be used to prevent unwanted cardiovascular events and disability implies the need to focus on the management of CVR including lifestyle interventions.