Establishing a cardiovascular health and wellness program in a community pharmacy: screening for metabolic syndrome

To implement a comprehensive service to screen for metabolic syndrome, assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, determine the 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), and measure the effectiveness of patient education on lifestyle modifications.

Cross-sectional study.

Community pharmacy in Pennsylvania between February 2006 and August 2007.

239 patients 18 years of age or older with no history of CHD.

Participating patients were screened for metabolic syndrome, Framingham risk assessment, and medication use. Test results were discussed and patients were educated on metabolic syndrome and lifestyle recommendations. A follow-up survey was administered.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study population, Framingham risk assessment of those with metabolic syndrome, proportion of patients with self-reported lifestyle modifications.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our study population was 36%. The Framingham risk assessment of patients with metabolic syndrome and no known history of diabetes revealed that 65.3% were at low risk, 26.4% were at moderate risk, and 8.3% were at high risk for CHD. Of the study population with no known history of prediabetes or diabetes, 26% had an abnormal glucose reading. Of those with metabolic syndrome, 87% self-reported a lifestyle modification in the area of diet, exercise, or weight loss in the following 3- to 6-month follow-up period.

Pharmacists have an important role in screening patients for risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. By providing education on lifestyle modifications, pharmacists can increase the likelihood that patients with metabolic syndrome implement lifestyle changes. A metabolic syndrome screening and education program can be successfully implemented in a community pharmacy setting.