Demographic and metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Iran: insights from a prospective cohort...

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a leading global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries This study aims to analyze the effect of demographic and metabolic risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, smoking, and high blood pressure, on the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), metabolic disorders, and cancers.

A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Iran Cohort Study (ICS), which followed participants from the 2016 STEPs survey. The cohort included 24,818 individuals, with data collected over three years through structured interviews and healthcare records. Statistical analyses were performed to calculate incidence rates, death rates, and rate ratios (RR) for NCDs based on demographic and risk factors.

Males exhibited a higher incidence rate of CVDs (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05-1.44), while females showed a higher incidence of cancers (males: RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.89). Individuals with diabetes had a markedly increased incidence rate of CVDs (RR 4.92, 95% CI 3.88-6.24) and metabolic disorders (RR 28.59, 95% CI 13.52-60.43). Hypertension was associated with a heightened incidence rate across all investigated NCDs, while obesity significantly correlated with increased incidences of CVDs (RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.56-2.38) and cancers (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.13-2.82). Notably, smoking was linked to increased mortality from CVDs (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.23-2.17).

Modifiable risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, and high BMI, and non-modifiable risk factors like age and sex have significant effect on the burden of NCDs in Iran.