Key result
Combined obesity and diabetes linked to ~3.8-fold higher odds of high ASCVD risk.
Why the study?
The co-occurrence of obesity and diabetes contributes synergistically to increased cardiovascular disease risk in Pakistan, influenced by socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.
Cross-Sectional (n=400)
Yes
Odds Ratio: 3.82 (95% CI 2.24–6.51)
Absolute Event Rate: 52.2% vs 8.3%
p-value: p=<0.001
The synergistic interaction between obesity and diabetes creates a multiplicative effect on cardiovascular risk in the Pakistani population, highlighting the critical need for integrated public health interventions targeting these syndemic conditions.
May support enhanced CVD screening in comorbid obesity and diabetes; leaves open prospective validation and generalizability beyond this cross-sectional sample.
CVD or Cardiovascular Disease affects developing countries such as Pakistan at a very high rate, due to the co-occurrence of obesity and diabetes, both of which contribute greatly towards increased incidence of cardiovascular disease through syndeic interactions. The study looks at how the combination of obesity and diabetes will affect an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease based on how socioeconomic class and lifestyle affect an individual from Pakistan. We used a cross-section analysis design with data taken from 400 patients aged 18 years and over from both urban and semi-urban health care facilities. The information collected was sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical. Cardiovascular disease risk was defined using existing and validated cardiovascular score systems. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to look at an independent analysis of each individual’s risk factors (obesity, diabetes) and then to look at an interaction effect between the two risk factors on an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The average age of participants was 44.2 years (+/- 12.6 years). Prevalence rates in the study for obesity (40%) and diabetes (35%) were significant. The results indicated that there was a significant association between combined obesity/diabetes increased CVD risk based on the chi-square analysis (x2-45.62, P<0.001) and the following adjusted odds ratios; obesity (OR=1.92), diabetes (OR=2.58) and the combination of both risk factors (OR=3.82) indicating a clear synergy. There is also a significant association between a sedentary lifestyle (OR=2.20) and low socioeconomic status (OR=2.10) on increasing an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study provides empirical proof of the syndemic interaction between obesity and diabetes that contributes to the increased risks of developing cardiovascular disease in Pakistan. The results highlight the need for public health initiatives and services to provide integrated strategies in order to address both the biological as well as socioeconomic factors affecting the growing incidence of cardiovascular disease.
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Amjad et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular risk associated with obesity and diabetes (n=400). Co-occurrence of obesity and diabetes vs. Neither condition was evaluated on High cardiovascular disease risk (>7.5% 10-year risk on ASCVD Risk Estimator) (OR 3.82, 95% CI 2.24-6.51, p=<0.001). The co-occurrence of obesity and diabetes synergistically increased the odds of high cardiovascular disease risk (OR 3.82) compared to individuals without these conditions.
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