Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study
Objective: Despite being the leading contributor to global mortality, cardiovascular diseases remain undetected in many individuals at-risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of individuals with unrecognised cardiovascular risk factors among all-comers in community pharmacies. Met...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Preventive Medicine Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525002487 |
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| author | Thorsten Bischof Viktoria Mair Alexander Schmidt-Ilsinger Philipp Saiko Susanne Ergott-Badawi Bernd Jilma Stefan Deibl Christian Schoergenhofer |
| author_facet | Thorsten Bischof Viktoria Mair Alexander Schmidt-Ilsinger Philipp Saiko Susanne Ergott-Badawi Bernd Jilma Stefan Deibl Christian Schoergenhofer |
| author_sort | Thorsten Bischof |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: Despite being the leading contributor to global mortality, cardiovascular diseases remain undetected in many individuals at-risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of individuals with unrecognised cardiovascular risk factors among all-comers in community pharmacies. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted in 47 Viennese community pharmacies between November 1, and December 31, 2024, screened adults for cardiovascular risk factors using point-of-care testing (HbA1c, lipid profile) and the age-appropriate Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2. An optional follow-up after three months assessed whether medical referral occurred and pharmacotherapy was initiated or changed. Patients treated for diabetes or hyperlipidaemia were excluded. Results: Among 445 individuals, 51 % were identified with increased cardiovascular risk factors. Of these, 151 agreed to participate in the follow-up, in which 66 % were successfully contacted. The respondents reported an attendance rate of 57 % and 43 % received new or modified pharmacotherapy. Conclusions: Community pharmacy-based screening proved effective, identifying numerous previously undiagnosed individuals with increased cardiovascular risk, which is especially remarkable within a comprehensive healthcare system. However, follow-up rates remained low, indicating a gap between risk detection and medical action. A stronger integration of screening interventions with primary care and follow-up pathways with medical institutions may enhance the effectiveness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5378f58d27a4453c9470e880e1e4bb72 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2211-3355 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Preventive Medicine Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-5378f58d27a4453c9470e880e1e4bb722025-08-23T04:48:16ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552025-09-015710320910.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103209Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional studyThorsten Bischof0Viktoria Mair1Alexander Schmidt-Ilsinger2Philipp Saiko3Susanne Ergott-Badawi4Bernd Jilma5Stefan Deibl6Christian Schoergenhofer7Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, AustriaAustrian Chamber of Pharmacists, Vienna, AustriaAustrian Chamber of Pharmacists, Vienna, AustriaAustrian Chamber of Pharmacists, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, AustriaAustrian Chamber of Pharmacists, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Corresponding author at: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.Objective: Despite being the leading contributor to global mortality, cardiovascular diseases remain undetected in many individuals at-risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of individuals with unrecognised cardiovascular risk factors among all-comers in community pharmacies. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted in 47 Viennese community pharmacies between November 1, and December 31, 2024, screened adults for cardiovascular risk factors using point-of-care testing (HbA1c, lipid profile) and the age-appropriate Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2. An optional follow-up after three months assessed whether medical referral occurred and pharmacotherapy was initiated or changed. Patients treated for diabetes or hyperlipidaemia were excluded. Results: Among 445 individuals, 51 % were identified with increased cardiovascular risk factors. Of these, 151 agreed to participate in the follow-up, in which 66 % were successfully contacted. The respondents reported an attendance rate of 57 % and 43 % received new or modified pharmacotherapy. Conclusions: Community pharmacy-based screening proved effective, identifying numerous previously undiagnosed individuals with increased cardiovascular risk, which is especially remarkable within a comprehensive healthcare system. However, follow-up rates remained low, indicating a gap between risk detection and medical action. A stronger integration of screening interventions with primary care and follow-up pathways with medical institutions may enhance the effectiveness.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525002487Primary health careCardiovascular riskPoint-of-care testingScreeningCommunity pharmacy |
| spellingShingle | Thorsten Bischof Viktoria Mair Alexander Schmidt-Ilsinger Philipp Saiko Susanne Ergott-Badawi Bernd Jilma Stefan Deibl Christian Schoergenhofer Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study Preventive Medicine Reports Primary health care Cardiovascular risk Point-of-care testing Screening Community pharmacy |
| title | Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Point-of-care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in Viennese community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | point of care testing of cardiovascular risk factors in viennese community pharmacies a cross sectional study |
| topic | Primary health care Cardiovascular risk Point-of-care testing Screening Community pharmacy |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525002487 |
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