Knowledge of risk factors for diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) is poor among individuals with risk factors for CVD

Abstract

BackgroundThere is limited evidence on whether having pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or risk factors for CVD such as diabetes, ensures greater knowledge of risk factors important for motivating preventative behaviours. Our objective was to compare knowledge among the Australian public participating in a health check program and their risk status.MethodsData from the Stroke Foundation ‘Know your numbers’ program were used. Staff in community pharmacies provided opportunistic health checks (measurement of blood pressure and diabetes risk assessment) among their customers. Participants were categorised: 1) CVD ± risk of CVD: history of stroke, heart disease or kidney disease, and may have risk factors; 2) risk of CVD only: reported having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or atrial fibrillation; and 3) CVD risk free (no CVD or risk of CVD). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed including adjustment for age and sex.FindingsAmong 4,647 participants, 12% had CVD (55% male, 85% aged 55+ years), 47% were at risk of CVD (40% male, 72% 55+ years) and 41% were CVD risk free (33% male, 27% 55+ years). Participants with CVD (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.80) or risk factors for CVD (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.73) had poorer knowledge of the risk factors for diabetes/CVD compared to those who were CVD risk free. After adjustment, only participants with risk factors for CVD (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.93) had poorer knowledge. Older participants (55+ years) and men had poorer knowledge of diabetes/CVD risk factors and complications of diabetes.ConclusionsParticipants with poorer knowledge of risk factors were older, more often male or were at risk of developing CVD compared with those who were CVD risk free. Health education in these high risk groups should be a priority, as diabetes and CVD are increasing in prevalence throughout the world.

Understanding Prevention and Management of Coronary Heart Disease Among Chinese Immigrants and Their Family Carers: A Socioecological Approach

“…Intrapersonal barriers, including a lack of knowledge, limited English proficiency, and poor prediagnostic medication adherence, may increase cardiovascular risks and result in delayed hospital presentation and diagnosis at an advanced stage of disease. The participants’ poor knowledge of CHD and risk factors is consistent with recent findings from an Australian study inclusive of many cultures (Kilkenny et al, 2017). Lack of knowledge about CHD is known to undermine appropriate self-management of risk factors among immigrants (de-Graft Aikins, Pitchforth, Allotey, Ogedegbe, & Agyemang, 2012).…”

Cardiovascular Risk, Risk Knowledge, and Related Factors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

“…In contrast, Lynch et al (2006) have found that CVD risk knowledge was high in individuals with CVD risk. In addition, consistent with our results, Kilkenny et al (2017) have found that patients with CVD/CVD risk had inadequate knowledge regarding CVD risks compared with individuals without CVD/CVD risk. Flink et al (2013) have found that individuals with high CVD risk scores had low CVD risk knowledge.…”

“…In our study, risk knowledge decreased with increasing age. In a study by Kilkenny et al (2017), CVD risk knowledge was assessed in patients with CVD or those with CVD risk and a lower knowledge level was found particular among patient ≥55 years of age. Aging is a complex process involving many physiological changes.…”

“…However, these studies have focused on either the determination of CVD risk factors or the examination of CVD risk knowledge. Unfortunately, few studies have investigated the association between the risk status and knowledge regarding risk factors among individuals, some of which have reported a positive association (Balcı, Kolaç, Şahinkaya, Yılmaz, & Nirgiz, 2018; Lynch, Liu, Kiefe, & Greenland, 2006), some have reported a negative association (Flink, Sciacca, Bier, Rodriguez, & Giardina, 2013; Kilkenny et al, 2017), whereas others have reported no association (Burger, Pretrius, Fourie, & Schutte, 2016). However, only a few studies have examined the association between CVD risk status and CVD risk knowledge among individuals with diabetes (Angosta & Speck, 2014; Yılmaz, Kumsar, & Çelik, 2018).…”

Worldwide inertia to the use of cardiorenal protective glucose-lowering drugs (SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA) in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes

“…Currently, too many patients with T2D lack awareness of CV risk factors [112,113], and even those who are aware may not be optimally improving lifestyle factors to manage risk, or sufficiently accessing specialist care [113].…”