Pilot study of the risk factors for coronary heart disease in Sudanese subjects

ABSTRACT

Results of a detailed case-control study of the risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] in 63 Sudanese subjects [32 patients and 31 age- and sex-matched controls], showed that comparing to patients and controls only diabetes mellitus, hyperuricaemia and possibly family history of CHD were significantly more common in patients. A marginally significant difference was noted in hypertension, total serum cholesterol and low density lipoproteins. No significant difference in triglycerides level, obesity [Quetelet's Index], cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and psychological factors [short type A scale] was found. Interestingly, none of the patients had a raised total Cholesterol or triglyceride level. Reassuringly, more than half of the smokers in both patients and controls smoked less than 20 cigarettes per day. From available data regarding the major risk factors of CHD probably the glucose/CHD relationship is particularly strong in the Sudanese. Otherwise it is possible that risk-factors for CHD in Sudan are not the same as those in the developed countries. However, monitoring of more individuals is needed fully to elucidate the situation