Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors Among Diabetic Patients in Nablus District, West Bank, Palestine: case-control study

Aim of the study The study aimed to compare cardiovascular diseases and risk factors among diabetic patients and nondiabetic individuals living in Nablus district. Methods This case control study was carried out in 7 diabetes clinics of MoH and UNRWA in Nablus district. The 299 diabetic patients and 159 nondiabetic controls were included in the study. Body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio and blood pressure were measured after conducting face to face interview for each participant. Blood sample was collected to measure fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride. Results All cardiovascular risk factors, except systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and smoking, were significantly higher in diabetic patients than nondiabetic controls. The best predictors of diabetes using logistic regression analysis were total cholesterol, family history of diabetes, waist circumference and triglyceride. About 78 % of diabetic patients had at least one diabetes complications; hypertension was in diabetic patients as twice as nondiabetics (55.2% vs 27.0%). Diabetic females were more obese and less physically active. But diabetic males were more ex- and current smokers than diabetic females. Frequencies of diabetes complications were more in diabetic male than diabetic females. Diabetic patients living in the city showed higher prevalence of almost all cardiovascular risk factors. Similarly, the diabetic complications were higher in diabetics living in the city except systolic blood pressure and body mass index which were higher in diabetics living in the refugee camps. Awareness of cardiovascular complications was comparable and low in both diabetic patients 56.9% and nondiabetic controls 57.2%, (p=1.000). Conclusion As urbanization and obesity especially are high in Palestine and awareness is low, more risk factors and complications of diabetes are expected in the next years. So effective interventions must be developed and implemented in the national level.