Application of the modified Framingham cardiovascular risk score to newly diagnosed type 2 black African diabetic patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Cardiovascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the baseline cardiovascular risk of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, using the modified Framingham point-score scale. METHODS Data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected from 97 consecutive newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients at the Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. Projected 10-year cardiovascular risk was estimated for each patient using the modified point score of Framingham. RESULTS Men and women were equally represented and the age of the participants ranged from 33 to 86 years. Mean values for total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were relatively elevated in the study population while HDL cholesterol levels were low. Total cardiovascular risk scores and the individual scores for each of the parameters in our model were significantly higher in females than in males. The 10-year risk for coronary artery disease was above 20% in 7.2% (6.7-7.7) of subjects, and between 10 and 20% in 21.7% (20.8-22.6). Overall, men were more at risk than women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with type 2 diabetes already had increased cardiovascular risk at clinical diagnosis in Cameroon. There is therefore considerable need for cardiovascular risk-factor intervention, particularly for hypertension and obesity, as well as dyslipidaemia, along with tight metabolic control.