Cardiovascular risk factors in Maltese patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes presenting to the Diabetes clinic at St Luke’s Hospital in 2003, Malta

Abstract

Methods: A representative sample of newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes was studied retrospectively. All patients in the above category (N:110) attending the diabetes clinic on three specific days of the week were studied. Glycaemic status, blood lipid levels, blood pressure, creatinine levels and smoking status were assessed. Results: During the study period, 93.6% of patients had their blood pressure measured, with 39% and 58.2% of the patients having a level of more than the recommended targets of 140 systolic and 85 diastolic blood pressures, respectively. 62.7% of the study population were tested for HbA1c values with the mean HbA1c value for the entire study population being 7.69%. 66.4% of the study population were tested for lipid values. Overall, 54% had total cholesterol levels of 4.8 mmol/l or more, 52.7% had LDL cholesterol levels of 3 mmol/L or more and 37.2% had triglyderide levels of 3mmol/l or more; these were classified as at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 19.1% of patients were smokers. Conclution: This study showed that the number of patients tested for HbA1C and lipid values needs to be increased and that a high proportion of patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes have risk factors for diabetes-related complications. Good disease management of diabetes requires attention to a multiplicity of factors if guideline targets are to be met and long term complications avoided.