Abstract
BackgroundThere are no recent data on prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indians. The last community based study from Kerala, the most advanced Indian state in epidemiological transition, was in 1993 that reported 1.4 % definite CAD prevalence. We studied the prevalence of CAD and its risk factors among adults in Kerala.MethodsIn a community-based cross sectional study, we selected 5167 adults (mean age 51 years, men 40.1 %) using a multistage cluster sampling method. Information on socio-demographics, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, dietary habits and personal history of hypertension, diabetes, and CAD was collected using a structured interview schedule. Anthropometry, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and biochemical investigations were done using standard protocols. CAD and its risk factors were defined using standard criteria. Comparisons of age adjusted prevalence were done using two tailed proportion tests.ResultsThe overall age-adjusted prevalence of definite CAD was 3.5 %: men 4.8 %, women 2.6 % (p < 0.001). Prevalence of any CAD was 12.5 %: men 9.8 %, women 14.3 % (p < 0.001). There was no difference in definite CAD between urban and rural population. Physical inactivity was reported by 17.5 and 18 % reported family history of CAD. Other CAD risk factors detected in the study were: overweight or obese 59 %, abdominal obesity 57 %, hypertension 28 %, diabetes 15 %, high total cholesterol 52 % and low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol 39 %. Current smoking was reported only be men (28 %).ConclusionThe prevalence of definite CAD in Kerala increased nearly three times since 1993 without any difference in urban and rural areas. Most risk factors of CAD were highly prevalent in the state. Both population and individual level approaches are warranted to address the high level of CAD risk factors to reduce the increasing prevalence of CAD in this population.
Highlights
There are no recent data on prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indians
The environment in Kerala is conducive for increasing the CAD risk factors [8] which is likely to result in an increase in the CAD prevalence
This study showed no difference in the prevalence of definite CAD between urban and rural population of Kerala while any CAD was slightly more in the rural population
Summary
There are no recent data on prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indians. The last community based study from Kerala, the most advanced Indian state in epidemiological transition, was in 1993 that reported 1.4 % definite CAD prevalence. We studied the prevalence of CAD and its risk factors among adults in Kerala. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the foremost cause of disability and death the world over and is one of the top five causes of death in Indian population [1]. The INTERHEART study reported the importance of conventional risk factors associated with CAD [6]. The only one community based study in 1993 from the rural area of the southernmost district of the state reported a CAD prevalence of 7.4 % [7].
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