Cardiovascular Risk Among Saudi Adults with Prediabetes: A Sub-Cohort Analysis from the Heart Health Promotion (HHP)...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Prediabetes affects a significant portion of the adult population.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a major health burden globally.
• Understanding risk factors for CVD in specific populations is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of prediabetes in Saudi adults.
• To assess the association between prediabetes and cardiovascular risk (CVR) in this population.
• To explore the role of vitamin D in prediabetes and CVR.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study of 2470 Saudi adults was conducted.
• Data collected included sociodemographic, clinical (BMI, blood pressure), and laboratory (HbA1c, lipid profile, vitamin D) parameters using the WHO-STEPs approach.
• Prediabetes was defined by HbA1c levels (5.7-6.4%), and cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of prediabetes was 25.1%, with higher rates in males and increasing prevalence with age.
• Prediabetes was associated with significantly higher levels of cardiovascular risk factors.
• Individuals with prediabetes had a 2.64 times higher odds of developing higher cardiovascular risk compared to those without prediabetes.

Conclusions:

• Prediabetes is highly prevalent among Saudi adults and is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Patients with prediabetes exhibit higher cardiac risk scores irrespective of vitamin D levels.
• No significant correlation was found between HbA1c and vitamin D levels in prediabetic or normoglycemic individuals.