Assessment of Undiagnosed Cardiovascular Risk Factors Identified Through the Saudi Model of Care Screening Program in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Saudi Arabia is experiencing an increasing prevalence of undiagnosed chronic conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia. In line with national health initiatives, the Saudi Model of Care (SMoC) launched an early screening program in Qassim to identify undiagnosed cases and inform healthcare planning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the SMoC screening program in detecting cardiometabolic disorders among individuals without prior diagnoses in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Analyses used data from 7,359 adults screened at primary healthcare centers in Qassim. Data collection encompassed anthropometric measures, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, and lipid profiles, all categorized using established standard thresholds. Statistical analyses included descriptive analyses and Chi-square tests. Results: The screening initiative evaluated 7,359 participants (mean age 38.0 ± 12.4 years; 59.8% female). The cohort exhibited a generally normotensive profile; however, a significant burden of previously undiagnosed metabolic risk factors was identified. Key findings indicated that 4,389 (59.6%) participants presented with dyslipidemia, 708 (9.6%) had diabetes (HbA1c > 6.5%), 2,039 (27.7%) were classified as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2), and 3,830 (52.0%) reported insufficient physical activity. Furthermore, Chi-square analyses indicated no statistically significant associations between physical activity levels and either diabetes diagnosis or obesity status (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Population-level screening in primary care settings uncovers a critical volume of undiagnosed cardiometabolic diseases, predominantly dyslipidemia and diabetes. Shifting from symptom-triggered testing to proactive, routine screening is essential for early intervention and mitigating long-term cardiovascular morbidity in this demographic.