Metabolic risk factors detected among the attendees to free health camps conducted in Western province of Sri Lanka

Non communicable diseases, mainly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have a large but unappreciated negative impact on individuals, families and countries and as such a major barrier to human development. Early diagnosis of these hidden illnesses and achievement of treatment goals are essential in order to prevent complications. Materials and methods: Population of 495 people above the age of 18 years who attended free health camps in Western province of Sri Lanka were screened for overweight, obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Prevalence of above conditions was estimated. Treatment target achievement was assessed among patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. Results: The mean BMI was 23.41 (SD 3.96) in men. It was lower than that in women, 24.45 (SD 4.34). Prevalence of obesity was 35.3% in men and 43.7% in women and prevalence of overweight was 13.7% in men and 18.5% in women. The prevalence of diabetes was 28.0% for men and 13.5% for women and 16.5% of new patients with diabetes were identified by this screening. The prevalence of pre-diabetes was 51.3% for men and 44.2% for women. The prevalence of hypertension was 42.3% and out of that 37.9% were newly diagnosed by screening. Prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 52.2% and 48.5% of them were diagnosed by the screening. Treatment targets were achieved by only 15% of diabetics and 55% of patients with hypertension. Only 38% of previously diagnosed patients with hyperlipidemia achieved total cholesterol (TC) target and only 16.5% achieved low density lipoproteins (LDL) target. Conclusion: The prevalence of major metabolic risk factors is high in the studied population and is higher than the previously reported prevalence. There is also a reasonably high percentage of undiagnosed patients with cardio-metabolic risk factors. Many patients with CVD risk factors are treated but remained inadequately controlled.