Cardiometabolic risk profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes seeking services at a Regional Referral Hospital in Kenya

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. Early identification and thus treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors may significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in such patients.

To determine the cardiometabolic risk profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes attending a Regional Referral Hospital in Kenya.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 136 adults with diabetes. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical measurements were taken to ascertain the cardiometabolic risks which included obesity/overweight, high waist-hip ratio, hypertension, elevated glycated hemoglobin levels, alcohol and tobacco use. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the social demographic characteristics of the participants as well as the cardiometabolic risk factors. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

The mean age was 56.34 (± 13.83) years with the majority (69.9%, n = 95) being female. 66.2% (n = 90) were known to be hypertensive. The mean Body Mass Index was 28.02 (95% CI 27.1, 28.9) with 66.2% (n = 90) being obese/overweight. Waist-Hip ratio revealed that 64% (n = 87) were at a high risk (> 1 for men, > 0.85 for women) of cardiometabolic complications. In addition, 63.2% (n = 86) had poor glycemic control as indicated by elevated (> 7%) levels of glycated hemoglobin (mean 8.3%, (95% CI 7.8,8.8).

Cardiometabolic risks were prevalent among the participants with majority having hypertension with uncontrolled blood pressure, were obese/overweight, had a high Waist-Hip ratio and elevated glycated hemoglobin levels. This underscores the need to focus on these risks during follow-up and when designing interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes.