INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the pattern of cardiovascular disease and the factors that predict such disease in outpatients with type-2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: This prospective open observational study included outpatients of both sexes (mean age 62 [8] years) with type-2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease (e.g., angina, myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial disease), glucose and HbA1c levels, and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded every 4 months throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Overall, 838 patients completed follow-up. RESULTS: During follow-up, 81 patients (9.6%) presented with a cardiovascular event, nine of which were fatal. Cardiovascular events were more frequent in patients with a history of an ischemic condition than in those without: 58 of 258 (22.5%) and 23 of 579 (4%), respectively (P<.01). Previous angina or myocardial infarction was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular risk (relative risk [RR]=4.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.39-6.95), followed by previous stroke (RR=2.96, 95% CI 1.26-6.93), high low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level > or =135 mg/dL (RR=2.79, 95% CI 1.56-5.01), peripheral arterial disease (RR=2.44, 95% CI 1.27-4.68), a high HbA1c level (RR=2.08, 95% CI 1.22-3.57), and obesity (RR=1.69, 95% CI 1.0-2.86). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cardiovascular disease in this southern European population of patients with type-2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia was high. A history of an ischemic condition and a high LDL-cholesterol level during follow-up were the strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the pattern of cardiovascular disease and the factors that predict such disease in outpatients with type-2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: This prospective open observational study included outpatients of both sexes (mean age 62 [8] years) with type-2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease (e.g., angina, myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial disease), glucose and HbA1c levels, and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded every 4 months throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Overall, 838 patients completed follow-up. RESULTS: During follow-up, 81 patients (9.6%) presented with a cardiovascular event, nine of which were fatal. Cardiovascular events were more frequent in patients with a history of an ischemic condition than in those without: 58 of 258 (22.5%) and 23 of 579 (4%), respectively (P<.01). Previous angina or myocardial infarction was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular risk (relative risk [RR]=4.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.39-6.95), followed by previous stroke (RR=2.96, 95% CI 1.26-6.93), high low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level > or =135 mg/dL (RR=2.79, 95% CI 1.56-5.01), peripheral arterial disease (RR=2.44, 95% CI 1.27-4.68), a high HbA1c level (RR=2.08, 95% CI 1.22-3.57), and obesity (RR=1.69, 95% CI 1.0-2.86). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cardiovascular disease in this southern European population of patients with type-2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia was high. A history of an ischemic condition and a high LDL-cholesterol level during follow-up were the strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease.