Unconventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) in the Lebanese Rural...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant health burden globally.
• Assessing cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for preventative strategies, especially in underserved populations.
• The rural Lebanese population's cardiovascular risk profile requires detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the correlation between unconventional risk factors and the Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE).
• To estimate the prevalence of conventional and unconventional cardiovascular risk factors in the rural Lebanese population.
• To assess the overall cardiovascular risk in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective descriptive study was conducted from November 2017 to June 2019.
• Data were collected from patient files during cardiovascular disease screening days.
• Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) was used for risk assessment, with socio-economic status categorized from 0 (low) to 3 (high).

Main Results:

• High prevalence of hypertension (45.1%), diabetes (31.2%), dyslipidemia (39.2%), smoking (50%), and metabolic syndrome (42.9%).
• Poor control rates: 13.6% for hypertension and 6.7% for diabetes.
• SCORE correlated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome (p=0.000) but not socio-economic status or family history.

Conclusions:

• Socio-economic status and family history are important adjuncts to SCORE for accurate cardiovascular risk assessment in this population.
• Prevalent cardiovascular risk factors are poorly controlled, highlighting the need for targeted national health interventions.
• Enhanced healthcare strategies are essential for the rural Lebanese population to mitigate cardiovascular risk.