Cardiovascular pathology in the clinical practice of primary care physicians on the example of Krasnoyarsk

Introduction. Cardiovascular comorbidity is a relevant problem in modern medicine. Comorbid pathology significantly worsens the quality of life and increases the likelihood of death in cardiovascular patients. The combination of diseases requires a comprehensive examination of the patient and the choice of optimal therapy. This work reviews the structure of cardiovascular comorbidity in outpatient patients of Krasnoyarsk, analyzes the most frequently prescribed medications, and makes conclusions about the need to highlight the problems of combined pathologies in outpatient practice.

Aim. To study the structure of cardiovascular comorbidity in outpatient patients in the city of Krasnoyarsk, to assess the frequency of comorbid pathologies in cardiovascular patients, and to analyze the extent of the prescribed therapy.

Material and Methods. A one-stage retrospective study analyzed 1,928 ambulatory medical charts of cardiovascular patients who visited the primary care physicians in the polyclinics of Krasnoyarsk in 2018. The material was statistically processed, and diff erences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Results. The prevalence of comorbid pathologies in cardiovascular patients reached 87% and tended to rise with the patients’ age. The study showed that coronary heart disease (CHD) and obesity were associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in agreement with results reported in previous studies. 43.2% of patients achieved a blood pressure level (BP) < 140/80 mm Hg while on antihypertensive therapy. 46.8% of patients achieved total cholesterol (TCh) < 5.0 mmol/L while taking statins. Only 18.5% of T2DM patients and 15.9% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were taking statins had TCh < 4.5 mmol/L. Heart rate (HR) < 70 bpm was reached in about 40% of patients taking b-blockers.

Conclusions. Comorbidity prevalence among cardiovascular patients of Krasnoyarsk city was high and tended to increase with the increase in patient age. Arterial hypertension (AH) and T2DM was the most frequent combination among patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Administered antiplatelet, hypolipidemic, and antihypertensive therapies did not fully comply with the current clinical recommendations in regard to the regimen of administration, dosage, and rates of the treatment targets achieved. The study showed that cardiovascular diseases are most frequently combined with T2DM. In this regard, it is necessary to promote the population awareness of the primary and secondary prevention of these comorbid diseases. 

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