Risk of Cardiovascular Complication Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Medan, Indonesia. A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a disease associated with impaired heart and blood vessel function. The occurrence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is due to an imbalance in blood glucose that could cause damage to large and small blood vessels and increase platelet aggregation, contributing to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It could be attributed to high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of movement, obesity, high cholesterol, unbalanced diet. CVD can be prevented, especially in at-risk groups, with risk assessment utilizing the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).

Objective: The study aimed to to analyze the risk of CVD according to the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in type 2 DM patients in Medan.

Methods: The data were collected with the Framingham Risk Score, which consisted of sub-variables of age, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBM), history of DM, and history of smoking, which were assessed by gender. It was a cross-sectional analytic study with consecutive sampling on 252 respondents, namely DM patients who came for treatment or control to the health centers in Medan and fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were then analyzed with SPSS.

Results: The respondents consisted of 197 women (78.2%) and 55 men (21.8%). The results were predominated with high risk patients (139, 55.2%), followed by those with medium risks (80, 31.7%), and low risks (33, 13.1%). Chi-square test yielded a significant association between each sub-variable of CVD risk factors and the risks based on FRS in type 2 DM patients.

Conclusion: Each sub-variable of CVD risk factors and the risks on FRS among type 2 DM patients. In future studies, it is recommended to include that a larger number of samples in the community with a balanced proportion of men and women.