Cardiovascular Risk and Physical Activity Score in Type II Diabetic Patients: The Case of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala (Cameroon)

Abstract

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). When combined with other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the effect of physical activity on cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. A total of 149 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the endocrinology department at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala were enrolled in this study. They completed a questionnaire regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, family history, and physical activity levels. Anthropometric parameters (body weight, waist circumference, height) and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) were measured, and several laboratory tests (blood glucose and lipid profile) were performed on an empty stomach for each patient. The mean age was 60 ± 12 years. The male-to-female ratio was 0.71. The cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes identified were primarily alcohol consumption (49.7%), physical inactivity (47%), hypertension (43%), and hypercholesterolemia (39.1%). The average duration of diabetes was 7.8 ± 6.4 years. Patients had hyperglycemia in 77% of cases. In this study, 48.0% of diabetic patients had a high cardiovascular risk (≥ 20%). This cardiovascular risk was significantly higher in women compared to men (p=0.048) and in patients over 60 years of age compared to those under 60 (p=0.001). The latter group also had the highest prevalence of low physical activity levels (p < 0.001). Participants engaging in moderate-intensity PA had a lower cardiovascular risk compared to those engaging in high- and low-intensity PA (40.0% versus 56.0% and 48.8%, respectively). Cardiovascular risk remains high among older patients, particularly those who are sedentary and have low levels of physical activity. Keywords: non communicable diseases; sedentarily; hospital; Douala; Cameroon