Analysis of adult non-communicable disease (NCD) screening data in Uzbekistan using the UZ-SPEED NCD tool

To assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among adults in Uzbekistan using the UZ-SPEED non-communicable disease (NCD) screening tool and to examine its associations with modifiable risk factors.

Pilot study.

This study was conducted from June to July 2024 and examined a convenience sample of 1735 adults aged 40 to 74 years in four diverse regions of Uzbekistan. Demographic, behavioral, and clinical data were collected by using an adapted version of the Japanese Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (J-SPEED) - UZ-SPEED NCD tool. CVD risk was assessed using non-laboratory-based and laboratory-based WHO risk charts. Logistic regression analysis with correction for confounding was used to identify factors associated with a high risk of CVD (≥10%).

Overall, 19.6% of participants had a high risk of CVD based on non-laboratory variables, and 16.8% had a high risk based on laboratory variables. Alcohol use was strongly associated with the risk of CVD. Unexpectedly, frequent consumption of sugary foods showed inverse associations with CVD risk, likely due to self-reporting bias or the unclearness of the questions. Consumption of fatty foods and obesity was associated with increased risk of CVD. We also identified geographical disparities; participants from Namangan region had a greater risk of CVD.

These findings highlight the need for more precise measurement of dietary habits, particularly the consumption of sugary foods, when screening for CVD. The UZ-SPEED NCD tool facilitated the timely collection and analysis of standardized data in a setting with limited resources.