Original paper
Cardiovascular disease risk factors in diabetic patients with diagnosed coronary artery disease referred to coronary angiography – estimate of knowledge of patients

Introduction : Coronary artery disease in diabetic patients is connected with worse prognosis in comparison with patients who have coronary artery disease but no diabetes. Identification of coronary artery disease risk factors and treatment in accordance with the guidelines of Polish Cardiological and Diabetic Associations may contribute to the improved prognosis in this group of patients.

Aim : To evaluate the incidence of coronary artery disease risk factors and to obey the rules of secondary prevention in diabetic patients who are referred to coronary angiography due to ischaemic heart disease. The aim was also to estimate the knowledge of those patients whether they are familiar with risk factors of coronary artery disease or not.

Material and methods : In the trial were involved 121 patients including 41 (33.88%) women and 80 (66.12%) men with type 2 diabetes and stable coronary artery disease referred to coronary angiography procedure. All of these patients had previously been treated due to ischaemic heart disease . The data was received based on the interview with the patients as well as the analysis of laboratory tests at admission and the measurement of arterial blood pressure. All patients completed the survey of coronary artery disease risk factors.

Results : Based on the interview hypertension was found in 95.87% of the patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease. Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²) was found in half of these patients. Total cholesterol concentration values recommended by PTK and PTD reached 65.29%, cholesterol LDL < 100 mg/dl – 64.46%, LDL < 70 mg/dl – ok. 30%. In a high percentage of women (65.85%), HDL cholesterol < 50 mg/dl while in men the value of HDL cholesterol (< 40 mg/dl) was found in 57.50% of patients. Every tenth patient smoked tobacco. Half of the patients evaluated their knowledge of risk factors as well as complications in coronary artery disease as rather little. Only every fifth patient believes that diabetes has influence on the development of coronary artery diseases.

Conclusions : There should be more pressure on educating patients with diabetes as for prevention of coronary artery disease risk factors and treatment possibilities.