QRisk Assessment in Diabetes

Most of us know that QRISK is a type of risk assessment tool used to evaluate the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals. But do we really understand the tool and how to get the best out of it? 

QRisk was developed by researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK and is used by healthcare professionals to estimate a person's risk of developing diabetes over the next 10 years., and  takes into account various risk factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), family history, smoking status, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. 

The QRisk assessment tool is a widely used calculator used to estimate an individual's risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). 


So what are the main benefits of using the tool : 
Accurate risk prediction: 
The QRisk tool uses a range of risk factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and medical history to calculate an individual's risk of developing CVD. This makes it an accurate predictor of an individual's risk, allowing healthcare professionals to identify those who may be at increased risk of developing CVD. 
Individualized approach: 
The QRisk tool takes into account individual risk factors and provides a personalized risk assessment. This allows healthcare professionals to tailor interventions and treatment plans to the individual's needs, which may be more effective in reducing the risk of CVD. 
Early intervention: 
Identifying individuals who are at high risk of developing CVD using the tool can help healthcare professionals to intervene early and prevent or delay the onset of the disease. This can result in better health outcomes for the individual and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. 
Cost-effective: 
Its a cost-effective way to identify individuals at high risk of developing CVD. This is because the tool allows healthcare professionals to target interventions and treatment to those who are most likely to benefit, reducing unnecessary healthcare costs. 
Better communication: 
It also provides a clear risk assessment that healthcare professionals can use to communicate the individual's risk to them. This can help to motivate individuals to make lifestyle changes or adhere to treatment plans, which can further reduce their risk of developing CVD. 

Using the QRISK tool, healthcare professionals can identify individuals who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and provide them with appropriate advice and support to reduce their risk. This may include lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and losing weight if necessary. In some cases, medication may also be recommended to help reduce the risk of diabetes.

There are several websites that provide general information on QRisk and its use in diabetes risk assessment.   Here are some websites you may find useful: 

University of Nottingham QRisk https://qrisk.org/diabetes/ - 
This website provides information on the QRisk tool and its use in diabetes risk assessment. It includes a calculator that can estimate an individual's risk of developing diabetes based on various risk factors. Diabetes UK https://www.diabetes.org.uk/preventing-type-2-diabetes/diabetes-risk-score - 
The Diabetes UK website provides information on the risk factors for diabetes and how to reduce your risk. They also offer a diabetes risk score test, which uses a different scoring system to QRisk but can provide an estimate of your risk of developing diabetes. 
NHS Health Check https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/diabetes-risk-assessment/ – 
The NHS Health Check website provides information on diabetes risk assessment and the different tools that can be used. It includes information on QRisk as well as other assessment tools. 

If you want to understand more, join us on the 2nd May for our one hour webinar session on “QRisk Assessment for People Living with Diabetes “  BOOK HERE