Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Distribution and Prevalence in a Rural Population of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Little is known about the cardiovascular risk factors in the Bangladeshi population. We examined ‘classic’ risk factors, including central obesity, in a rural population.

Methods Non-biochemical variables were examined in 238 men and 272 women aged 18 years or more (mean ± standard deviation 38.1 ± 10.7 years in men and 36.0 ± 9.8 in women). Fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol concentrations were determined in a sub-sample of 106 men and 135 women.

Results Men and women had a similar body mass index (20.4 ± 3.1 vs 20.8 ± 3.4 kg/m²), waist circumference (72.8 ± 7.6 vs 71.4 ± 8.7 cm), systolic blood pressure (118.4 ± 13.7 vs 119.5 ± 17.7 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (75.9 ± 9.9 vs 74.6 ± 11.5 mmHg), total cholesterol (155.7 ± 36.0 vs 162.0 ± 35.2 mg/dl) and blood glucose level (89.0 ± 14.9 vs 86.2 ± 9.6 mg/dl. After categorization of these variables, the prevalence of thinness (body mass index < 18.5; 30.0 vs 30.3%), obesity (body mass index ≥ 30; 0.8 vs 1.1%), hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 or medication; 9.8 vs 15.6%), hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥ 240; 2.8 vs 3.0%) and diabetes mellitus (blood glucose ≥ 126; 2.9 vs 0.7%) remained similar between the sexes. However, central obesity (waist circumference ≥ 94 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women) was less frequent (2.9 vs 16.8%; P =0.001) in men. Overall, tobacco consumption (57.1 vs 23.2%; P = 0.001) and smoking (50.3% vs 2.9%; P =0.001) were more frequent in men, but chewing tobacco consumption was similar (16.3 vs 21.4%; P=0.095).

Conclusions Our sample size is small, and larger studies are necessary for a more accurate description of the risk factors.