Awareness and use of cardiovascular risk scores by family physicians in southeastern Ontario

Abstract

Background: Our objective was to determine the assessment of cardiovascular risk by family physicians. Methods: A questionnaire was sent by mail or fax regarding both awareness and use of the various CV risk scores in southeastern Ontario. Results: Of 181 family physicians surveyed, 96% were aware of at least one CV risk score and 40% were aware of the JUPITER study. Despite this awareness, 72% simply counted risk factors to assess risk, rather than to calculate risk using established scoring methods. Only 23% used the JUPITER study criteria. This suggests an underestimated of overall CV risk by family physician's practicing in southeastern Ontario. Interpetation: Cardiovascular risk in primary care is being underestimated in southeastern Ontario. Additional knowledge translation strategies are required to enhance the family physician's awareness and use of established risk scoring methods if we are to reduce the burden of CV disease.

Headed in the Right Direction But at Risk for Miscalculation

“…Newer risk models emerged, including the Reynolds Risk Score (RRS) for ASCVD (8) and variations of the FRS developed for total ASCVD, lifetime risk, and risk estimation without laboratory results (9). With so many risk-scoring systems, clinicians often ignored formal global risk assessment in clinical practice (10) because it was challenging to know which to use for each particular patient.…”