Abstract
•Findings indicated that the older Saudi population was at risk for malnutrition, overweight, and/or obese and had poor dietary intake.•The findings of the current study helped to complete the picture related to cardiovascular disease risk among an older Saudi population.•Assessing cardiovascular disease risk factors, especially the non-traditional factors such as C-reactive protein, albumin, and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma, will help to closely and precisely determine cardiovascular disease risk for older adults.•Prevention and educational programs targeting this age group should be developed.•Early determination will help to reduce the cost of hospitalization and nursing care as well as morbidity and mortality rates.
Cardiometabolic risks (CMRs) are factors associated with the possibility of developing vascular events and/or diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CMRs and associated factors among a Saudi geriatric population in Al Madinah Al Munawarah.
An epidemiologic, cross-sectional, community-based study included freely living persons ≥65 y of age (N = 600). Sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI) were collected. Fasting blood samples (5 mL) were drawn for the determination of selected biochemical markers, including glycemic status, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin, hemoglobin level, serum iron, and for the calculation of Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP). Blood tests were carried out by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay using the Cobas-e 411 immunoassay analyzer and Siemens Dimension XP.
Women (72%) and men (82.7%) had diabetes as shown by their high mean glycated hemoglobin percent (women 7.90 [2.95]; men 8.4 [1.64]; P < 0.001). Older adults with diabetes had dyslipidemia, were overweight (women only), had hypoalbuminemia, elevated CRP, and increased AIP. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher among men (44%) than women (25%). More women suffered from hypoalbuminemia (54%) than men (40.7%). Low serum iron levels were more prevalent among men than women (54 versus 40.7%). More men (56.6%) than women (33.4%) had CRP levels of >5 mg/L. Older adults had similar prevalence of dyslipidemia Men had a higher prevalence of poor high-density lipoprotein levels compared with their counterparts (9.3% versus 13%). Multiple linear regression models showed that dyslipidemia, BMI, serum albumin (women only), fasting glucose levels, CRP, and AIP were significantly elevated with increasing age among older adults.
The Saudi geriatric population is at increased CMR as noted by their high prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, elevated CRP, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, overweight/obesity, and high AIP.