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A case-control study of coronary heart disease in Athens, Greece
A Kalandidi1, A Tzonou, N Toupadaki
1Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Athens Medical School, Greece.
Insights
Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and excessive coffee intake significantly increase coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, exercise, and siestas showed weaker associations in this Greek case-control study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
- Previous research suggests various lifestyle and metabolic factors contribute to CHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between several lifestyle and metabolic factors and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
- To identify significant independent risk factors for CHD in a Greek population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 329 CHD patients and 570 controls.
- Data were collected through in-hospital interviews and abstraction of laboratory results.
- Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to analyze risk factors, controlling for confounders.
Main Results:
- Obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, elevated blood cholesterol, and excessive coffee intake were identified as significant independent risk factors for CHD (P < 0.02).
- Relative risk estimates for these factors ranged from 2- to 3-fold.
- Tobacco smoking and modest coffee consumption showed non-significant positive associations.
- Alcohol intake and regular exercise had non-significant negative associations.
- A borderline statistically significant negative association was observed with afternoon siesta duration.
Conclusions:
- Specific metabolic and lifestyle factors, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and excessive coffee consumption, are strongly associated with increased CHD risk.
- The findings highlight the importance of managing these risk factors for CHD prevention in the studied population.
- Further research may explore the nuanced roles of other lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, exercise, and sleep patterns in CHD etiology.
Abstract:
A case-control study of coronary heart disease (CHD) was conducted in Athens, Greece. The case series consisted of 329 patients with electrocardiographically confirmed coronary infarct or a diagnostic coronary arteriogram, or both, who were admitted during a 16-month period to a major teaching hospital. Controls were 570 patients admitted to the same hospital just before or after the CHD cases for minor surgery; eye, ear, nose or minor urological problems; or chest problems definitely shown to be unrelated to CHD. All cases and controls were interviewed in the hospital wards and selected laboratory data were abstracted. The main analysis was done by modelling through multiple logistic regression, controlling for demographic variables as well as for the mutual confounding effects of the investigated risk factors. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, elevated blood cholesterol and excessive coffee intake were significant (P < 0.02) independent risk factors with relative risk estimates in the 2- to 3-fold range. Non-significant positive associations were found with respect to tobacco smoking and modest coffee consumption, whereas non-significant negative associations were noted with respect to alcohol intake and regular exercise. A negative association with duration of afternoon siesta was of borderline statistical significance.