Initial and sustained cardiovascular risk reduction in a pharmacist-led diabetes cardiovascular risk clinic

Abstract

Background

The atherogenic milieu of hypertension, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia results in an excess of cardiovascular deaths in the diabetic population.

Objective

To determine the efficacy and long-term success of a pharmacist-delivered cardiovascular risk reduction clinic.

Methods

Patients with diabetes not achieving blood pressure (BP) and lipid targets at a standard diabetes clinic had a mean of four visits to the pharmacist-delivered clinic.

Results

BP was significantly reduced by attending the clinic (mean reduction in clinic BP 23/10 mmHg). Ambulatory BP monitoring demonstrated a mean reduction of 13/9 mmHg from clinic entry to discharge and this effect was sustained six months post-discharge .

Total cholesterol was reduced by 0.4 mmol/L (p=0.002) during clinic attendances and remained unchanged post discharge.

Conclusion

Patients previously thought to be `resistant' to treatment can have significant reductions in cardiovascular risk factors when enrolled in a short-lived, intense clinic set-up. This is maintained