Franek E, Rutten GEHM, Orsted DD, Baeres FMM, Mota M, Jacob S, Bain SC, Vidal J and Haluzik M
Aim: The aim of the present analysis was to compare cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients from
different countries in Europe, using baseline data from the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of
cardiovascular outcome Results (LEADER) trial.
Methods: Baseline characteristics and treatments were compared between the subgroup of patients with
established cardiovascular disease included in this study from the Eastern European Union (EEU), Western
European Union (WEU), and Russia and Serbia (Ru/Se).
Results: Glycaemic control was similar in the EEU and WEU, and poorest in Ru/Se, although WEU patients
were older and had longer diabetes duration. Systolic blood pressure was lowest in Ru/Se, whereas diastolic blood
pressure was lowest in the WEU. Control of dyslipidaemia was best in the WEU, and worst in Ru/Se. The percentage
of patients meeting all three targets for cardiovascular risk factors (HbA1c: ≤ 64 mmol/mol [8.0%], blood pressure:
<140/<90 mmHg and low-density lipoprotein [LDL]-cholesterol: 1.8 mmol/L [70 mg/dL]) was 9.7%, 6.4% and 3.2%
in the WEU, EEU and Ru/Se, respectively. Metformin and sulphonylurea treatment was more frequent in the EEU
than WEU and Ru/Se. Insulin, in turn, was used less frequently in the EEU than WEU and Ru/Se. The use of newer
drugs was small and differences could not be subjected to statistical analyses. Statins were used most frequently in
WEU countries and least frequently in Ru/Se.
Conclusion: The high cardiovascular risk patients in the WEU were older and had longer diabetes duration,
when compared with EEU and Ru/Se. Despite this, they had a lower body mass index (BMI), similar blood pressure
and better lipid control. Although the differences were small, the percentage of patients meeting all three treatment
targets was low across all regions studied.