A Case-Control Study on Dietary Quality and Risk for Coronary Heart Disease in Korean Men

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dietary quality and the risk of coronary heart disease (CBD) among Korean men by a case-control study. METHODS: The cases were 108 male patients with a first acute myocardial infarction or a new diagnosis of angina pectoris who were admitted to a university teaching hospital in Seoul. Controls were 142 age-matched patients admitted to the departments of ophthalmology and orthopedic surgery at the same hospital. Dietary information was assessed by a nutritionist using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and dietary quality index (DQI) scores were calculated. RESULTS: The intakes of total fat and cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) in cases were significantly higher than those in controls. The mean DQI scores were 8.6 for the cases and 9.4 for the controls. A higher DQI, which was indicative of a better quality diet, was inversely associated with the risk of CHD when comparing the highest to lowest quatiles, but borderline significant (odd ratios 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.25-1.39, P for trend=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that better dietary quality may reduce the risk of CHD among Korean men.