Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Its Relationship with Night Eating Syndrome in Patients Applying to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic

Meryem Meci Çiftci, Sibel Baktır Altuntaş, Başak Korkmazer, Hilal Özkaya

Keywords: cardiovascular risk, family practice, night eating syndrome

Background:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of death. Smoking, high systolic blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia are among the modifiable risk factors for CVD. Knowing the factors responsible for the formation of risk factors can provide primary prevention. The relationship between CVD and Night Eating Syndrome (NES), whose effect on obesity development has been investigated, is not clear.

Research questions:
Does night eating syndrome cause an increase in cardiovascular risk?

Method:
The study was planned to be conducted between January 15 and May 1, 2022 in the form of a descriptive cross-sectional face-to-face survey.
HeartScore risk analysis was performed on patients aged 40-65 years who applied to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic. A 31-item Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) was administered face-to-face to screen the sociodemographic characteristics and NES of the patients.
Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS version 25.0. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
81 participants were included in the study. The mean body mass index was 28.84 ±5.51 (min:17.97 max:47.84), 25 of whom were obese. According to the HeartScore risk analysis, n:74 people had 1-4% CV risk (moderate risk), n:7 people had 5-9% CV risk (high risk).
CV risk was higher in married and divorced individuals. It was statistically significant (p:0.001).
The mean NEQ score was 13.21±6.93(min:3 max:34). N: 12 (14.8%) people scored above 25 points in NEQ. NES was more common in women and was statistically significant (p:0.015).
There was no statistically significant relationship between CV risk and NES (p>0.05).
The study is in the data collection phase and hasn’t yet been completed.

Conclusions:
The etiology of CVD is multifactorial, it is important to evaluate risk factors together.
Identifying individuals with NES will contribute to the fight against DM, obesity and CVD.

Points for discussion:
What is the purpose of calculating the CV risk in the family medicine outpatient clinic?

Should NES be questioned in family practice?

Should NES be considered in patients with high CV risk?