Cardiovascular risk assessment and utilization of pharmacological agents for the management of cardiovascular disease risk among diabetic patients with variable risk profiles

Background and Aims: The adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in diabetes mellitus can largely be prevented by using effective utilization of CVD risk-modifying medications such as oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs), anti-hypertensives, anti-platelets, and hypolipidemics. Results of the study will aid in planning appropriate preventive measures to decrease morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular events with the help of CVD risk classification and analysis of CVD risk modification medications prescribed among diabetic patients of various risk categories. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and twenty people with Type 2 diabetes who matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study were enrolled after giving their consent. The stratification of CVD risk using the World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension CVD risk prediction tables was done to possibly prevent CVD. A case record form was presented to these patients, which contained details about their medical treatment, patient profile, and CVD risk factors. Results: The percentage of diabetic individuals with low CVD risk was 64.5%, medium CVD risk was 17.7%, high CVD risk was 6.4%, and extremely high-risk CVD risk was 11.4%. Aside from antidiabetic medicines, the analysis indicated that 72% of patients in the extremely high-risk group were administered anti-hypertensive drugs, 60% were on concomitant antiplatelet drugs, and 64% were prescribed hypolipidemic drugs for cardiovascular risk reduction. Conclusion: It is desirable to increase the usage of CVD risk-modifying medications, especially antiplatelet and hypolipidemic medications, in Type 2 diabetes patients with a high CVD risk