Cardiometabolic risk profiles and correlates in a mid-life clinic cohort in Qatar: A cross-sectional analysis

Background: Cardiometabolic diseases remain the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality, with risk factors often clustering in the same individuals. Understanding how this risk factors interact in real-world clinical populations is essential for effective prevention.

Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the central tendency and dispersion of key cardiometabolic risk factors, determine the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, prediabetes, dyslipidemia, categorical BMI, and vitamin D status, and explore correlations between continuous variables and identify independent predictors of systolic blood pressure and the odds of hypertension and diabetes.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 250 adult clinic attendees aged 40–68 years in Qatar. Standardized definitions were used for all categorical outcomes. Descriptive statistics summarized central tendency and dispersion. Pearson correlations examined bivariate relationships. Multivariable regression models (linear for SBP; logistic for hypertension and diabetes) adjusted for age, sex, BMI, glycemia, lipid profile, and vitamin D.

Results: The cohort was predominantly male (83%) with a mean age of 51.0 years. Mean SBP/DBP were 126.8/79.9 mmHg. Hypertension prevalence was 61.2%, diabetes 14.6%, prediabetes 37.4% (among non-diabetics), and dyslipidemia 68.1%. Overweight/obesity affected 75.9%, and 63.7% had vitamin D deficiency. BMI correlated positively with SBP (r=0.28) and triglycerides (r=0.25), and inversely with HDL (r=−0.24). In adjusted models, BMI (+0.85 mmHg/kg/m², p<0.001) and LDL (+2.60 mmHg/mmol/L, p=0.004) independently predicted higher SBP; both also increased hypertension odds. Diabetes odds rose with age (OR 1.08/year), SBP (OR 1.05/mmHg), and fell with higher HDL and vitamin D.

Conclusions: This mid-life clinic population carries a heavy burden of clustered cardiometabolic risk, with overweight/obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and vitamin D deficiency particularly prevalent. Weight management, lipid control, and early glycemic prevention emerge as key priorities for comprehensive risk reduction.