Screening cardiovascular risk factors of diabetes patients in the primary diabetes clinics

To evaluate the atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) risk factors in type 2 diabetes patients from the primary diabetes clinics for further comprehensive intervention in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 primary diabetes chain hospitals in Beijing, Lanzhou, Harbin, Chengdu, and Taiyuan in continuous patients with type 2 diabetes from March 2016 to December 2019. The data collected at the first visit were analyzed, and proportions of patients reached the targets (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA(1)c] < 7%, blood pressure < 130/80 mm Hg, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] < 2.6mmol/l) were calculated. The clinical characteristics and the associated factors with achievement in HbA(1)c, blood pressure, and LDL-C targets were analyzed. A total of 20,412 participants, including 11,353 men (55.6%), with an average age of (59.4 ± 10.4) years were enrolled. Nearly 95% diabetes had one or more ASCVD risk factors other than hyperglycemia. The control rates of HbA(1)c, blood pressure, and LDL-C were 26.5%, 27.8%, and 42.6%, respectively. Only 4.1% patients achieved all 3 targets. Nearly 95% patients had one or more ASCVD risk factors other than hyperglyciemia. Diabetes duration, family history, and overweight/obesity were associated with the number of aggregated ASCVD risk factors. The patients with older age, no overweight/obesity, not smoking, less ASCVD risk factors, and having special diabetes care insurance (Chengdu) were associated with a higher control rates. To deal with poor control status, global management of ASCVD risk factors, weight loss, and smoking cessation must be emphasized in the primary diabetes care settings. Special diabetes care insurance should be advocated. Current ClinicalTrial.gov protocol ID NCT03707379. Date of Registration: October 16, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov.