An analysis of barriers to entry of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with diabetes: Using data from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background: UK cardiac rehabilitation has reached for the first time 50% uptake in 2016; however, this still leaves 50% of the eligible group not starting cardiac rehabilitation. The characteristics of patients missing cardiac rehabilitation are relatively unknown with some studies in America suggesting that patients with diabetes have a reduced likelihood of joining cardiac rehabilitation. Methods: This study used routinely collected data from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation to investigate proportional differences in patients with cardiovascular disease with, and without, diabetes taking up the offer of cardiac rehabilitation. Results: The proportion of patients with diabetes entering cardiac rehabilitation dropped by between 7% and 15% depending on the age group (