Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2025
An R-Based Landscape Validation of a Competing Risk Model
Published on: September 16, 2022
The Comparability of Lipid-based and Body Mass Index-based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores: Using the Rwanda
Jean Berchmans Niyibizi1, Kufre Joseph Okop2, Naomi Levitt2
1Single Project Implementation Unit, University of Rwanda, Kicukiro, Kigali, Rwanda.
Insights
Body mass index (BMI)-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores correlate well with lipid-based scores in Rwanda. BMI-based tools offer a cost-effective alternative for CVD risk assessment in resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death in Rwanda, necessitating effective risk assessment tools.
- Cardiovascular disease risk score tools are recommended for identifying high-risk individuals for timely management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the comparability of body mass index (BMI)-based and lipid-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores within the Rwandan population.
- To determine the utility of BMI-based risk scores as a cost-effective alternative in resource-limited settings.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of 4185 participants from the 2012-2013 Rwanda non-communicable diseases risk factors survey.
- Calculation of individual CVD risk scores using both BMI-based and lipid-based algorithms.
- Statistical comparison using Spearman rank correlation and Cohen's Kappa coefficients.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between BMI-based and lipid-based algorithms for 10-year CVD risk prediction (Spearman's rho > 0.90, p<0.001).
- Moderate agreement was found between the two methods for CVD risk characterization (Kappa = 0.52 for overall/men, Kappa = 0.48 for women, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- BMI-based CVD risk algorithms demonstrate strong correlation and moderate agreement with lipid-based methods in Rwanda.
- The BMI-based algorithm presents a viable, cost-effective alternative for CVD risk assessment in resource-limited healthcare environments.
Background:
In Rwanda, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) ranked second of the most common cause of death in 2016. CVD risk score tools have been recommended to identify people at high risk for management.
Objective:
To assess the comparability of body mass index (BMI)-based and lipid-based CVD risk scores in Rwandan population.
Methods:
Secondary analysis was conducted on 4185 study participants extracted from the dataset of Rwanda 2012-2013 non-communicable diseases risk factors survey. Individual CVD risk scores were calculated using both BMI-based and lipid-based algorithms, one at a time. Spearman rank's coefficient and Cohen's Kappa coefficient were used to compare the two tools.
Results:
About 63.5% of participants were women. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI-based algorithm and lipid-based algorithm vis-à-vis a 10-year CVD risk prediction (Spearman rank correlation coefficients > 0.90, p<0.001) considering either men, women or overall study participants. There was a moderate agreement between BMI-based and lipid-based algorithms vis-à-vis CVD risk characterization, kappa = 0.52; p-value p<0.001 considering either overall study participants or men and kappa = 0.48; p-value p<0.001 considering women.
Conclusion:
The findings from this study suggest the use of BMI-based algorithm, a cost effective tool compared to lipid-based tool, can be alternatively used in resource-limited settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Relative Risk
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:24Obesity