Control of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Revascularized Patients with Diabetes: Algerian experience

Abstract

Patients with type 2 diabetes and revascularized coronary disease are a group with very high cardiovascular risk that has been rarely studied. This Algerian study analyzes the clinical characteristics and risk factor control of these patients. The analysis selected patients with type 2 diabetes who had participated in an a multicenter, observational study (military hospitals of Algeria) conducted in 978 patients > 18 years of age who had undergone coronary surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention. Demographic and therapeutic variables, as well as clinical and analytical parameters, were collected and comparatively analyzed. The mean age (standard deviation) of the 371 diabetic patients included in the analysis was 67.7 (9.6) years (71.3% men; mean time since revascularization, 3.5 years). Most (57.6%) were receiving treatment with oral hypoglycemics alone, where as 30.4% were receiving insulin alone or in combination. The mean glycohemoglobin figure was 7.3% (in 72%, < 7.5%); 73.9% had been diagnosed with dyslipidemia. Mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 93.5 mg/dL (in 73%, > 70 mg/dL). Among these patients, 93.5% were receiving statins. A total of 76.4% had been diagnosed with hypertension; systolic/diastolic blood pressure was < 130/80 mmHg in 56% and < 140/90 mmHg in 93%. Cardiovascular risk and prevention may be improved in revascularized diabetic patients in Spain through further control of risk factors, particularly dyslipidemia. Patients with glycohemoglobin > 7.5% should be individually assessed in terms of glycemic targets.