Relationship between obesity index and cardiovascular risk in primary care patients on Crete, Greece: a data driven sub-analysis

Abstract

Background: The present sub-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between obesity index and cardiovascular risk among primary care attendees.

Study design: Stratified random sampling was previously used to recruit general practitioners, practicing on Crete island, Greece, whose patients were then enrolled.

Methods: Initial sample included 815 primary care attendees (55.7% women; mean age 65.2 years; range 40-98 years). Due to missing values regarding 13 participants, data from 802 patients were included for the current analysis. Body measurements (weight, height), among other bio-clinical parameters, were recorded upon practice visit. The 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was estimated using the European Society of Cardiology (and other societies), 10-year Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation and multivariate linear regression was used to assess relationships between Obesity Index and cardiovascular disease risk.

Results: Higher risk is shown to be significantly related with male gender, older age, unemployed/retired status, urban area of living or smoking (p<0.05), as well as with higher levels of obesity index (stand. beta=0.048, p=0.028).

Conclusions: Obesity Index may be useful for cardiovascular disease risk prediction and correction at the primary care settings, since obesity is easily addressed during the first medical contact.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk; Lifestyle; Obesity; Primary care.