Opportunistic Screening for CVD Risk Factors: The Dubai Shopping for Cardiovascular Risk Study (DISCOVERY).
BACKGROUND
Comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk factor (CVDRF) screening programs are limited in the developing world. Simplifying screening can increase its utility.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to estimate the burden of CVDRF in volunteers and the yield of newly discovered CVDRF comparing different sites and nationalities using this screening method.


METHODS
Voluntary point-of-care CVDRF screening was conducted in 4 shopping malls, 9 health care facilities, and 3 labor camps in 5 cities in the United Arab Emirates. Follow-up for newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was made 1 month after screening to inquire about physician consultation, confirmation of diagnosis, and lifestyle changes.


RESULTS
A total of 4,128 subjects were screened (43% at malls, 36% at health care facilities, and 22% at labor camps). Subjects were relatively young (38 ± 11 years), predominantly male (75%), and of diverse nationalities (United Arab Emirates: 7%, other Arabs: 10%, South Asians: 74%, other Asians: 5%, and other nationalities: 5%). CVDRF were frequent (diabetes mellitus: 32%, hypertension: 31%, dyslipidemia: 69%, current smokers: 21%, obesity: 20%, and central obesity: 24%). Most subjects (85%) had ≥1 CVDRF, and many (17%) had ≥3 CVDRF. A new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or dyslipidemia was uncovered in 61.5%, with the highest yield (74.0%) in labor camps. At follow-up of those with new CVDRF, positive lifestyle changes were reported in 60%, but only 33% had consulted a doctor; of these, diagnosis was confirmed in 63% for diabetes mellitus, 93% for hypertension, and 87% for dyslipidemia.


CONCLUSIONS
In this relatively young and ethnically diverse cohort, CVDRF burden and yield of screening was high. Screening in these settings is pertinent and can be simplified.
Dubai Heart Centre, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: ahyusufali@dha.gov.ae.
Afzalhussein
A
Yusufali
Dubai Heart Centre, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Nooshin
N
Bazargani
Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Khalifa
K
Muhammed
Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Ahmed
A
Gabroun
PHC, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Amna
A
AlMazrooei
Fujairah Hospital, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
Amrish
A
Agrawal
Dubai Heart Centre, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Arif
A
Al-Mulla
United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Cother
C
Hajat
Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Fahad
F
Baslaib
Dubai Heart Centre, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Jessy
J
Philip
Saif and IBHO Hospital & RAKMSU, Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Pradeep
P
Gupta
Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Sherif
S
Bakir
Dubai Heart Centre, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Suresh
S
Krishnan
Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Wael
W
Almahmeed
Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Alawi
A
Alsheikh-Ali
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014479:United Arab Emirates