A Cross-Sectional Study on the Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Northern Iraq.

There is an upward trend in the key cardiovascular risk factors in Iraq. Accordingly, the current study was initiated to address the changing epidemiology of acute coronary heart disease in Iraq. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 600 patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the period between October 2020 and September 2022, and admitted to the Heart Center at Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Iraq, were recruited. All patients had detailed histories, clinical examinations, and relevant investigations, with particular scrutiny of the major cardiovascular risk factors at enrollment. Patients were categorized as having ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) following the American Society of Cardiology guidelines. The patients had a mean age of 56.2 (SD: 10.5) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1. The study included 185 (30.8%) patients with NSTEMI and 415 (69.2%) patients with STEMI. The frequency of regular smokers, those with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were 57.0%, 56.2%, 47%, and 40.7%, respectively. Family history of coronary heart disease and being overweight were encountered in a further 24.8% and 29.8%, respectively. Females were significantly older, with higher frequencies of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and overweight, while they were less likely to be smokers than males. Patients with hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were significantly older, while smokers and those with a family history of ischemic heart disease were significantly younger. STEMI patients were significantly younger, more likely to be males, smokers, and overweight, but less likely to be diabetic than NSTEMI patients. Iraqi patients with ACS were eight to 10 years younger than their Western counterparts. Males were more frequently involved and were younger than females. Hyperlipidemia and smoking were the most frequent risk factors, with the former's frequency exceeding reports from neighboring countries and the West. STEMI was more frequent and occurred at younger ages than NSTEMI. The results of the study support the need to institute effective targeted preventive and educational programs to reduce the risk of ACS in this part of the world.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024, Allami et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Research Ethics Committee at the Directorate General of Health, Duhok, Iraq issued approval 29052020-4-38. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.