Abstract:
The objective of the study was to determine the socioeconomic characteristics and the
prevalence of known risk factors among ST- elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI)
patients.
One hundred and three male patients who were admitted consecutively with first acute
STEMI to Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya for one year duration were interviewed and data
on known cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), demographic and socioeconomic
characteristics such as education, occupation and income were collected. Further, hospital
and personal records were used in collecting data on known CVRFs. Anthropometric
measurements were obtained. The socioeconomic status (SES) was defined according to
the Barker & Hall guidelines.
Age of the patients ranged from 32 to 69 years and mean age was 54 ± 8 years. Smoking
in 59 (57.3%), diabetes mellitus in 14 (13.6%), hypertension in 20 (19.4%), dyslipidaemia in
100 (97.1%), metabolic syndrome in 53 (51.5%), cerebrovascular disease in 2 (1.9%), family history
of premature CAD in 2 (1.9%), obesity in 2 (1.9%) and overweight in 10 (9.7%) patients were
reported. Majority of them were in the normal range of BMI 65 (63.1%). Among the patients
98 (95.1%) were married, less had extended their education to the university or similar type of higher
education 7 (6.8 %) and a few were involved in professional category of 8 (7.7%) occupations. Thirty
eight (36.8%) of them had no regular income. Over 50% of patients were in the lower social
class categories (categories 4 and 5). Dyslipidaemia and smoking were the most prevalent
known cardiovascular risk factors among male patients with acute STEMI; however the
prevalence of obesity was less. Majority of them were from low socioeconomic
background.
Keywords: Myocardial infarction, cardiovascular, risk factors, socioeconomic status, males
Acknowledgement: University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka.
