AIM

To describe the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor status of approximately 18,000 patients profiled in routine primary care practice by PREDICT-CVD, a web-based clinical decision support program for assessing and managing CVD risk.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2005, 31,241 CVD risk assessments of 18,260 patients were undertaken in ProCare, a large primary care organisation in Auckland.

RESULTS

Baseline risk assessments were completed for 10,374 (57%) men and 7886 (43%) women. The mean age was 56 years (range 17 to 94 years), Of those assessed, 11% were of Pacific and 7% of Maori ethnicity. Risk assessment was more likely in men under the age of 65 years. In the over 65 year age group, women were more likely to be risk assessed. The overall prevalence of diabetes and smoking in this cohort was 14% and 13% respectively. A history of a previous CVD event increased with age in both men and women. Above the age of 75 years, 36% reported a previous cardiovascular event, most commonly ischaemic heart disease. The patients assessed represented 6% of men and 4% of women in the enrolled ProCare population over 35 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

General practitioners and practice nurses using PREDICT-CVD targeted patients according to national guideline age and gender recommendations. PREDICT-CVD is a practical and effective tool for systematically generating standardised patient CVD risk factor profiles during routine primary care practice. When implemented widely, PREDICT will enable primary care organisations to monitor the CVD risk burden and management in their practice populations using a nationally standardised evidence-based approach.