Epidemiological Evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in Patients Referred to Cardiovascular Centers of Kermanshah (2001-2002)

Introduction: Because of high incidence and mortality rate of coronary artery diseases, epidemiological evaluation of these diseases is significantly important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology of CAD patients who referred to cardiovascular centers of Kermanshah.

Materials and Methods:All admitted patients suffered from and referred to cardiovascular centers of Kermanshah (from Jan. 2001-2002) were selected and their related informations were evaluated. The criteria for CAD diagnosis were myocardial infarction (typical chest pain, ECG and enzymatic changes), positive exercise testing or coronary stenosis in angiography.

Results:The total numbers of patients were 663, (74.1% were male and 25.9% were female). 123 (18.6%) of them were rural residents and 540 (81.4%) of them were urban residents. The youngest one was 25 years old and the disease was more common among 60-69 age groups. 363(55.8%) of patients were uneducated.

The most common group of patients were housekeepers and the least were teachers. Workers and farmers were the next common groups. In 63% of patients the cholesterol level was more than 200 mg/100 ml, in 57.5%, HDL was less than 40 mg/dl and in 47.9% LDL was more than 130 mg/dl and in 48.4% triglyceride was more than 150 mg/dl. History of smoking, hypertension , opium abuse, inactivity and overweight were 41%, 35.5%, 17.5%, 81.4% and 57.1% respectively. 80.5% of them did not use
liquid oil while using hydrogenated vegetable oil and animal oil (fat) were in 91.3 and 23% of them. 17.7% of them were diabetics and using red meet, liver, and eggs were in (83.9%, 12.9% and 70.2%) of them respectively and only 4.51% of them used fish food.

Conclusion: Although 25% of the patients were female, the most common group was housekeepers. On the other hand, the existence of multiple risk factors of CAD in patients indicated that the preventive programs such as controling cholesterol and LDL, increasing healthy diets and regular physical activity are important factors to control the disease.