Cardiovascular risk factors, exercise capacity and health literacy in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Germany: Baseline characteristics of the Lifestyle Intervention in Chronic lschaemic Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes study

Background: Lifestyle interventions are a cornerstone in the treatment of chronic ischaemic heart disease (CI HD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed at identifying differences in clinical characteristics between categories of the common lifestyle intervention targets BMI, exercise capacity (peak VO2) and health literacy (HL). Methods: Cross-sectional baseline characteristics of patients enrolled in the LelKD trial (Clinicaltrials.gav NCT03835923) are presented in total, grouped by BMI, %-predicted peak VO2 and HL (HLS-EU-Q16), and compared to other clinical trials with similar populations. Results: Among 499 patients (68.3 +/- 7.7 years; 16.2% female; HbAlc, 6.9 +/- 0.9%), baseline characteristics were similar to other trials and revealed insufficient treatment of several risk factors (LDL-C 92 +/- 34 mg/dl; BMI, 30.1 +/- 4.8 kg/m(2); 69.6% with peak VO2 <90% predicted). Patients with lower peak VO2 showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) CIHD and T2DM disease severity (HbAlc, CIHD symptoms, coronary artery bypass graft). Obese patients had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and higher triglyceride levels, whereas in patients with low HL both quality of life components (physical, mental) were significantly reduced. Conclusions: In patients with CIHD and T2DM, peak VO2, BMI and HL are important indicators of disease severity, risk factor burden and quality of life, which reinforces the relevance of lifestyle interventions.

Automated summary

This study identifies important indicators of disease severity, risk factor burden, and quality of life in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Peak VO2, BMI, and health literacy are crucial for lifestyle interventions.