Chronic Non-Communicable Disease Risk Calculators - An Overview, Part II.

The aim of this review was to identify the different risk assessment tools that stratify the individual's risk of four of the eight leading causes of death: stroke, ischaemic heart diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dementia. It follows part I, which summarized the risk assessment tools for the other four leading causes of death (breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and osteoporosis). As in part I, the different tools were compared by their variables and validation criteria and an overview table was designed for each illness. The tables facilitate the choice of the adequate risk assessment tool for the individual patient in order to estimate the risk of developing an NCD. This could guide treating physicians in the decision-making process about completing diagnostics for early detection and, if necessary, treatment, such that the patient's quality of life can be preserved and costs to the health care system are minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]