Introduction and objective:
Cardiovascular risk (CV risk) is the probability of developing cardiovascular disease or dying from it within a specified period of time. One of the main factors increasing this risk is diabetes (DM). The aim of the study was to assess the effect of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on CV risk based on the SCORE and SCORE2 scales, taking other factors into account.

Material and methods:
The study was conducted in a group of 1,540 people aged 40–89 years (226 people with diabetes –T2DM(+)). The following scales were used to assess CV risk: Pol-SCORE and SCORE2. Inclusion criterion was the absence of cardiovascular complications such as: myocardial infarction, overt coronary artery disease, previous stroke, renal failure or complications of T2DM.

Results:
In the T2DM(+) group, high and very high CV risk was more frequently noted (Pol-SCORE: 26.1% and 34.5%; SCORE2: 24.3% and 42.5%) compared to T2DM(-). The regression model included an analysis of 10 factors determining CV risk. In estimating CV risk using the Pol-SCORE scale, 8 factors were most important (P=0.86), in the SCORE2 scale a total of 3 factors (TC – total cholesterol; LDL; TGs – triglyceride). In the T2DM(+) group, age(r=0.53) and TC(r=0.43) showed the strongest positive correlation with SCORE2, while for Pol-SCORE – age(r=0.05).

Conclusions:
In the CV risk assessment using the Pol-SCORE scale, the following were of significant importance: TC, HDL, LDL, TGs, non-HDL, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate. In the risk assessment using the SCORE2 scale, the following were significant: total cholesterol and triglyceride. Diagnosed T2DM significantly increases CV risk.