Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factor control among people with diabetes in the community pharmacy setting - A descriptive observational study
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Published Version
Date
2025-10-02
Authors
Zaki, Marian
O’Sullivan, Claire
Barrett, Ellen
Mirzai, Nasim
Thornton, Hazel
Al Hamarneh, Yazid N.
Bermingham, Margaret
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Published Version
Abstract
Background: In some countries, community pharmacists provide advanced services to people with diabetes that improve glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk. This study aims to describe the cardiovascular risk profile of people with diabetes attending community pharmacy in Ireland. Methods: Data collection for this descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study took place in 10 pharmacies, in four Irish counties between July 2018 and October 2019. Participants were aged ≥18 years, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, attending a participating pharmacy and were dispensed oral diabetes medicines, insulin, or devices for monitoring glycaemic control. Participants were asked about their demographics, medical history, and cardiovascular risk factors. Current medications were identified from dispensing software. Results: Data were available for 106 participants; 70 (66.0%) were male and 36 (34.0%) were female. The median age was 66.0 [56.5: 72.0] years. Of these, 90 (84.9%) had type 2 diabetes. Hypertension and dyslipidaemia were reported by 60 (56.6%) and 59 (55.7%) participants, respectively. Twenty-one participants (19.8%) were current smokers, 31 (29.2%) followed no specific diet, and 44 (41.5%) did not undertake exercise. Oral diabetes medication was prescribed to 85 (80.2%) and insulin was prescribed to 29 (27.4%) participants. Where an antihypertensive was prescribed, 21 participants (19.8%) achieved the systolic blood pressure on-treatment goal of ≤130 mmHg and 34 (32.1%) achieved the diastolic blood pressure on-treatment goal of <80 mmHg. Conclusions: Study participants demonstrated a high rate of characteristics associated with increased cardiovascular risk, including non-achievement of target blood pressure, smoking, and lack of exercise. A community pharmacist-led intervention aimed at potentially improving cardiovascular risk factors in people with diabetes warrants further study in an Irish setting.
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Keywords
Diabetes mellitus , Pharmacists , Community pharmacy services , Heart disease risk factors
Citation
Zaki, M., O’Sullivan, C., Barrett, E., Mirzai, N., Thornton, H., Al Hamarneh, Y. N. and Bermingham, M. (2025) 'Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factor control among people with diabetes in the community pharmacy setting - A descriptive observational study', Diabetology, 6(10), 107 (12pp). https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology6100107