Clustering of coronary artery disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance

A cross-sectional study in Isfahan city, Islamic Republic of Iran, compared the frequency of coronary artery disease risk factors in known and newly diagnosed diabetic patients and individuals with impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] with normal individuals. The prevalence of known cases of diabetes, new cases of diabetes and cases with IGT in the general population sample of 3940 were 4.3%, 1.1%, and 6.2% respectively. The frequency of dyslipidaemia was significantly different comparing diabetics and normal individuals. There was a significantly higher prevalence of risk factors [i.e. increased body mass index or waist circumference accompanied by dyslipidaemia] in the female population. The study highlights the importance of defining strategies for prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes in the community

Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic and glucose intolerant cases

Comparing to other people, diabetic patients have a greater chance to develop cardiovascular diseases. To compare the prevalence of cardiac risk factors in diabetic patients, glucose intolerant patients and the normal individuals. Also, a comparison on prevalence of these factors in known and new cases of diabetes mellitus was made. This cross-sectional study was done on 3940 samples [1914 males, 2026 females] in the age group of >/= 19 years old. The samples were chosen base on random-clustering method. The demographic characteristic information was obtained using questionnaires. The major risk factors such as systolic/diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, serum lipids were obtained through laboratory studies, physical examinations and observations. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. The prevalence of known diabetes, new cases of diabetes, and glucose intolerance among the total cases were 4.3%, 1.1%, and 6.2%, respectively. The prevalence of the similar parameters in female and male groups was 4.9%, 1.2%, 1.1% and 3.7%, 1%, 5.3%, respectively. Comparing only the abundance of blood lipids disorders among patients and healthy individuals was indicating of the presence of a significant difference, statistically. The same statistical pattern was obtained when all risk factors among patient and healthy groups were compared, collectively. The prevalence of blood lipids disorders in men was higher than those in women showing a significant difference. When the prevalence of risk factors including an increase in BMI or WC compared with blood lipids disorders between two sexes, the prevalence rate was significantly higher in women than in men [P<0.05]. Based on data obtained in this study, the preventive and therapeutic for diabetic patients should be launched according to the extent of these risk factors

[Effects of some environmental factors on smoking and the consequences of smoking on Major Cardiovascular Disease [CVD] risk factors in adolescent: Isfahan healthy heart program- heart health promotion from childhood]

Introduction: despite the health policies, the prevalence of smoking has been increasing among adolescents and the age of its beginning has been decreasing

Objective: this study was performed in order to consider the effects of environmental factors on smoking and its hazards on the health of adolescents in order to plan community-based interventions against it

Materials and Methods: in a longitudinal cross-sectional study performed in urban and rural areas of Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak, 1950 questionnaires of students and the same number for parents and 468 questionnaires of school staff have been completed. Questionnaires about smoking were completed secretly and without name. Students have been selected by random multi-stage sampling from middle- and high schools. Physical examination and blood sampling was performed by expert nurses in schools

Results: among students, 4% of girls, 12.9% of boys and 8.7% of all studied subjects reported to smoke at least one cigarette per day. The mean age of smoking was 14.6+/-1.7 years in girls and 14.8 +/-1.69 years in boys [P=0.5]. The prevalence of smoking in boys was significantly higher than that in girls [OR = 3.34, %95 CI=2.33-4.77, P<0.001]. The mean value of total and LDL cholesterol was significantly higher in smokers and their HDL-C was lower than non-smokers [P < 0.05]. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index was significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers [110.7+/-14.5, 67.6+/-11.35 mmHg, 20.34+/-3.84 vs. 104.9+/-14.3, 63.2+/-10.8 mmHg, 19.55+/-3.66, respectively, P<0.05]. The mean consumption frequency was lower for fruits and vegetables and higher for fat/salty snacks in smokers than non-smokers. Only 5.6% of students mentioned that they became aware of smoking hazards from school staff and most of the students considered scientific TV programmes as the most important source for their knowledge about these hazards. The Odds Ratio of smoking was 1.56 [95% CI, 1.1-2.07, P=0.01] for those with smoker parents and 1.68 [95% CI, 1.22-2.32, P=0.001] with parents opposed to regular extracurricular exercise of their children. The father's education level of smokers was significantly lower than non-smokers [P<0.05]. Logistic regression analysis showed significant effect of sex, age and number of smokers in family on adolescent smoking

Conclusion: considering the susceptibility of adolescents to begin smoking, the role of families in this regard and inadequate information given in schools about the smoking hazards and also considering the higher prevalence of major CVD risk factors in smoker adolescents compared to non- smoker ones, it is suggested to implement community-based interventions through families, schools and mass media in order to increase the knowledge and to improve the practice of adolescents against smoking