Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease and its Risk Factors in Kerala, South India: a Community-based Cross-sectional Study
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Date
2016-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Abstract
Background: 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.
Methods: In 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.
Results: The 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 %).
Conclusion: The 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.
Description
Keywords
Coronary artery disease, Coronary risk factors, Prevalence, Kerala, India
Citation
Krishnan MN, Zachariah G, Venugopal K; Mohanan PP, Harikrishnan S, Sanjay G, Jeyaseelan L, Thankappan KR. Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease and its Risk Factors in Kerala, South India: a Community-based Cross-sectional Study. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. 2016;16(12)