OBJECTIVES: This report provides the first comprehensive and standardized assessment of the distribution of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Syria, where such data are still scarce. METHODS: A population-based household survey was conducted in Aleppo (population >2.5 million), involving 1,168 subjects ≥25 years old (47.7% men; mean age 44.7 ± 12.7 years). Information about socio-demographics, personal behavior, and other CVD risk factors was collected. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were obtained. RESULTS: The prevalence of clinical risk factors of CVD (ClinRFs) was 45.6% for hypertension, 43.2% for obesity, 21.9% for hypercholesterolemia and 15.6% for diabetes. The prevalence of behavioral risk factors (BehRFs) was 82.3% for physical inactivity, 39.0% for smoking, and 33.4% for unhealthy diet. All ClinRFs increased with age, while gender was associated only with obesity and smoking. Education was associated with obesity and diabetes (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Adults in Syria have some of the world's highest prevalence of CVD risk factors. Unhealthy behaviors and social norms unfavorable to women may explain some of such risk profiles.
OBJECTIVES: This report provides the first comprehensive and standardized assessment of the distribution of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Syria, where such data are still scarce. METHODS: A population-based household survey was conducted in Aleppo (population >2.5 million), involving 1,168 subjects ≥25 years old (47.7% men; mean age 44.7 ± 12.7 years). Information about socio-demographics, personal behavior, and other CVD risk factors was collected. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were obtained. RESULTS: The prevalence of clinical risk factors of CVD (ClinRFs) was 45.6% for hypertension, 43.2% for obesity, 21.9% for hypercholesterolemia and 15.6% for diabetes. The prevalence of behavioral risk factors (BehRFs) was 82.3% for physical inactivity, 39.0% for smoking, and 33.4% for unhealthy diet. All ClinRFs increased with age, while gender was associated only with obesity and smoking. Education was associated with obesity and diabetes (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Adults in Syria have some of the world's highest prevalence of CVD risk factors. Unhealthy behaviors and social norms unfavorable to women may explain some of such risk profiles.
Authors: Katharina Wolf-Maier; Richard S Cooper; José R Banegas; Simona Giampaoli; Hans-Werner Hense; Michel Joffres; Mika Kastarinen; Neil Poulter; Paola Primatesta; Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo; Birgitta Stegmayr; Michael Thamm; Jaakko Tuomilehto; Diego Vanuzzo; Fenicia Vescio Journal: JAMA Date: 2003-05-14 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Meredith L Wilcox; Helen Mason; Fouad M Fouad; Samer Rastam; Radwan al Ali; Timothy F Page; Simon Capewell; Martin O'Flaherty; Wasim Maziak Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2014-06-28 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Samer Rastam; Radwan Al Ali; Wasim Maziak; Fawaz Mzayek; Fouad M Fouad; Martin O'Flaherty; Simon Capewell Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-09-09 Impact factor: 3.295