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Geographic Variations in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Luxembourg
Ala'a Alkerwi1, Illiasse El Bahi2, Saverio Stranges3,4
1Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Department of Population Health, Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit EPHRU, Strassen, L-1445 Strassen Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Alaa.AlKerwi@lih.lu.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease risk factors like smoking and obesity show distinct geographic patterns across Luxembourg. This highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to combat cardiovascular disease (CVD) effectively.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors are a significant global public health issue.
- Geographic variations in risk profiles exist across different populations.
- Understanding these spatial patterns is crucial for effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map and analyze geographic variations of key cardio-metabolic and behavioral risk factors for CVD in Luxembourg.
- To identify regional differences in risk factor prevalence to inform targeted interventions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the nationwide ORISCAV-LUX survey (n=1432, aged 18-69).
- Employed multivariate Bayesian geo-additive regression models with Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques.
- Generated age- and sex-adjusted risk profile maps for smoking, BMI, blood pressure, glucose, alcohol use, cholesterol, eGFR, and physical inactivity.
Main Results:
- Smoking prevalence was higher in northern regions; overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity clustered in the central belt.
- Hypertension was notably prevalent in the southern regions.
- Luxembourg canton residents had lower odds of hypertension and obesity but also lower physical activity levels (≥8000 MET-min/week).
- Non-significant spatial patterns were observed for smoking, diabetes, total cholesterol, and low eGFR.
Conclusions:
- Significant geographic variations in cardio-metabolic and behavioral risk factors for CVD exist within Luxembourg.
- These findings provide a basis for developing tailored, geographically specific public health interventions.
- Addressing these localized risk factor distributions can contribute to mitigating the overall burden of CVD.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated behavioural and metabolic risk factors constitute a major public health concern at a global level. Many reports worldwide have documented different risk profiles for populations with demographic variations. The objective of this study was to examine geographic variations in the top leading cardio metabolic and behavioural risk factors in Luxembourg, in order to provide an overall picture of CVD burden across the country. The analysis conducted was based on data from the nationwide ORISCAV-LUX survey, including 1432 subjects, aged 18-69 years. A self-reported questionnaire, physical examination and blood sampling were performed. Age and sex-adjusted risk profile maps were generated using multivariate Bayesian geo-additive regression models, based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques and were used to evaluate the significance of the spatial effects on the distribution of a range of cardio metabolic risk factors, namely smoking, high body mass index (BMI), high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, alcohol use, high total cholesterol, low glomerular filtration rate, and physical inactivity. Higher prevalence of smoking was observed in the northern regions, higher overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity clustered in the central belt, whereas hypertension was spotted particularly in the southern part of the country. Maps revealed that subjects residing in Luxembourg canton were significantly less likely to be hypertensive or overweight/obese, whereas they were less likely to practice physical activity of ≥8000 Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-min/week. These patterns were also observed at the municipality level in Luxembourg. Statistically, there were non-significant spatial patterns regarding smoking, diabetes, total serum cholesterol and low glomerular filtration rate risk distribution. This comprehensive risk profile mapping showed remarkable geographic variations in cardio metabolic and behavioural risk factors. Considering the prominent burden of CVD this research provides opportunities for tailored interventions and may help to better fight against this escalating public health problem.
