Abstract P214: Managing multiple risk factors among adults with heart disease; Does arthritis play a role? Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System United States, 2005 and 2007

Abstract

Purpose: Modifiable risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking can increase the risk of heart disease (HD). Arthritis is a common comorbidity among people with HD and may interfere with the control of these risk factors by limiting physical activity due to arthritis-associated joint pain. We describe the prevalence of multiple risk factors among adults with HD and arthritis compared to those with HD only for the US population and by state. Methods: Using 2005 and 2007 combined Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for all 50 states and DC, we estimated the prevalence of 1) 6 risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity and 2) 2 or more risk factors among 4 subpopulations of adults: those with HD and arthritis; HD only; arthritis only; or neither condition. Prevalence estimates were generated for the US population overall and by state Results: Arthritis affects 57% of adults with HD, compared with 27% of adults in the general population; in 48 of 50 states, over 50% of adults with HD have arthritis. Among adults with HD and arthritis, the age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension (63.9%), high cholesterol (64.3%), diabetes (27.5%,) physical inactivity (26.0%), obesity (43.7%) and smoking (36.3%) was significantly higher compared to those with HD only, arthritis only, or neither condition. The age-adjusted prevalence of 2 or more risk factors for adults with arthritis and HD was 77.4% compared to 55.8% for adults with HD only, 45.3% with arthritis only and 24.6% for those with neither condition. . Conclusions: Adults with both arthritis and HD are more likely to have multiple risk factors. Arthritis might pose a special barrier, particularly for physical activity and obesity, which may impact multiple HD risk factors such as those examined here. These findings demonstrate how different chronic diseases may interact, and provide evidence for greater integration of chronic disease prevention efforts.