Evaluation of potential benefits resulting from reaching target goals in type 2 diabetics treated in general practice

Background . Recently, several new tools enabling precise evaluation of cardiovascular risk were introduced. The aim of the present study was to evaluate total cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetics treated in general practice, and to evaluate potential benefits resulting from reaching target goals. Material and methods . The study group included 100 patients with type 2 diabetes. The risk of myocardial infarction and stroke was calculated using the PRECARD software. Its algorithm is designed to evaluate the direct risk of incident within 10 years based on 5 non-modifiable risk factors (sex, age, family history, history of coronary heart disease or of diabetes) and 5 modifiable risk factors (systolic blood pressure, body mass index, total and HDL serum cholesterol, and smoking).Results. Mean risk of myocardial infarction was 20.2 ± 19.8% before and 13.6 ± 12.6% after providing the most favourable therapy (P < 0.0001). Mean risk of stroke was 12.5 ± 8.1% before and 9.6 ± 5.5% after providing the most favourable therapy (P Conclusions . Cardiovascular morbidity in diabetic patients treated in general practice is very high, exceeding 20% for myocardial infarction and 12% for stroke within 10 years. The intensification of treatment might result in 33% reduction of the risk of myocardial infarction and 23% reduction of the risk of stroke.