Objective: Dysglycaemia, defined as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), increases the cardiovascular risk and prognosis. INTERASPIRE performed in 14 countries across 6 WHO regions evaluated guideline adherence and management of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and dysglycaemia.
Methods: A total of 4,548 CAD patients (18-80 years) were interviewed 6 months-2 years after hospital admission. All without diabetes were eligible for an oral glucose test (OGTT).
Results: Overall, 1990 (44%) had known T2DM. The OGTT revealed that 808 (40%) had previously unknown dysglycaemia (T2DM 12% and IGT 28%). Two thirds of all dysglycaemic patients were obese. A similar proportion reported low physical activity and only one third received dietary advice. Only half of dysglycemic patients were prescribed all guideline recommended cardioprotective drugs. A majority did not reach recommended blood pressure, lipids or HbA1c targets. Only 16% had attended a diabetes education program.
Conclusions: The INTERASPIRE study shows that screening for glucose perturbations in coronary patients is inadequate, achievement of lifestyle recommendations suboptimal and pharmacological management insufficient resulting in a poor risk factor control. Patients with coronary disease, especially those with glucose perturbations require professional support to achieve healthier lifestyles, and prescription of all cardioprotective medications to achieve guideline targets.
Keywords: Cardiovascular prevention; Coronary artery disease; Diabetes education program; Dysglycaemia; Screening; Type 2 diabetes.
© 2025. The Author(s).