The prevalence of risk factors and its correlates for cardiovascular disease in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION:  Prevalence of Chronic diseases is gradually increasing in developing countries such as Bangladesh. We conducted this study to identify prevalence of risk factors and its correlates for Myocardial Infarction (MI) in a rural community of Northern Bangladesh. 

METHODS:  This population based cross sectional study recruited individuals aged between 31 – 74 years  from the baseline survey of a cohort study, in Thakurgaon district of Bangladesh. Participants were screened for CVDs (i.e., MI) using a set of questions developed by the World Health Organisation. Those who gave positive response, underwent an ECG test to confirm MI,  and have high blood pressure or symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) were recruited. Anthropometric measurements [BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and waist height stature (WHtR)], blood pressure were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT),  total cholesterol (chol), triglyceride (TG)  and HDL were measured.  

RESULTS: A total of 1733 individuals (835 male, 898 female) aged (in years, Mean±SD) 50±11 participated in the study. The overall prevalence of cardiac abnormalities including MI from ECG were 5.4% of which 2.48% were confirmed case of MI.  The prevalence of T2D, prediabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension were 6.7%, 26.8%, 87%, 42%, respectively. On Pearson correlation analysis SBP and DBP showed significant correlation with sex (p=0.001), BMI (p=0.012, p=0.004), WC (p=0.001), Fasting (p=0.001, p=0.026), TG (p=0.001, p=0.004), cholesterol (p=0.001), LDL (p=0.002, p=0.004); in addition, correlation between SBP and carbohydrate intake (p=0.001) and DBP and WHR (P=0.025), 2HBG (p=0.004) were observed. 

CONCLUSIONS: Measures should be taken to reduce the prevalence of risk factors for CVDs in Bangladesh.