Metabolic syndrome and the risk of coronary artery disease among the physicians.

Background: Physicians, due to their work and lifestyle patterns, can be at risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MetS among physicians and its association with coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study collected data on Thai physicians who had medical examination including cardiovascular testing from 14 February to 31 October 2022, in our hospital. Inclusion criteria were those who had complete data for MetS diagnosis per Adult Treatment Panel III criteria and CAD diagnosis information. Outcome measures were prevalence of MetS and CAD prevalence in affected vs non-affected physicians. Results: Of 1194 physicians, the median age was 48.0±10.29 years. The authors found 4.5% were obese, 30.6% having high blood pressure, 26.6% high fasting blood sugar (FBS), 12.7% high triglycerides, and 13.7% low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The prevalence of MetS was 8.9%. Increasing age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, FBS, triglyceride, and decreasing HDL were identified as independent risk factors of MetS. The prevalence of CAD was 11.4%: 47.2% vs. 7.9% among the physicians with and without MetS respectively (odds ratio 10.41: 95% CI, 6.70-16.16%, P<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS among Thai physicians in this study was 8.9%. Those physicians with MetS were associated with a 10-fold higher risk of CAD. Physicians who were at risk of developing MetS should consider modifying their health habits and being vigilant about the potential consequences of CAD. Further prospective cohort studies are warranted to validate these results.

Association of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Coronary Artery Disease Among the Physicians.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are major global health problem and are the third leading cause of death in the world. Most studies found the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were correlated with myocardial infarction and heart failure. Previous studies reported a higher risk of CVD among physicians but no study concerns NLR and the PLR to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) among the physicians. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the role of blood features in the CBC, with a particular focus on NLR and PLR levels, in predicting the presence of CAD. Patients and Methods: Data of Thai physicians who participated in the "Save Doctors' Heart" project which was conducted between February 14 and October 31, 2022, were collected from personal information, work and health habits, physical examination, white blood cell (WBC), laboratory, cardiac testing, and presence of CAD. Prior to studying their association with CAD, optimal values of age and each blood parameter, NLR, and PLR were determined. Results: Of 1161 physicians mean age was 47.7 ± 10.16 years. By cardiac tests, CAD was identified in 11.3%. Significantly higher levels of WBC, neutrophils, NLR, and lower platelets were found in physicians with CAD. Except for lymphocytes and platelets which exhibited a reverse association with CAD, other factors were found as significant risk factors for CAD by univariate analysis. By multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for CAD in order of their adjusted odds ratio (aOR) were age ≥50 years (aOR 9.34), NLR ≥ 1.87 (aOR 2.75), CAC score > 1 (aOR 2.39), and PLR ≥ 161.66 (aOR 2.32). Conclusion: NLR and PLR, older age and CAC score were found as independent factors predicting CAD. The findings of this study could potentially provide valuable insights into the relationship between blood parameters and CAD risk among physicians.

Coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular disorders among the physicians.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders (CVDs), specifically coronary artery disease (CAD), among Thai physicians, and the cardiac testing being used. The associated or risk factors of CAD were also studied. METHODS: Data of Thai physicians who participated in the hospital's corporate social responsibility "Save Doctors' Heart" project conducted between February 14, 2022, and October 31, 2022, were collected: personal illness, family history of CAD, workplace, work hours, dietary habits, exercise, stress, body mass index, laboratory and cardiac testing. RESULTS: Of 1231 physicians, the median age was 48.0 ± 10.34 years, with 55.2% were female; 83.1% reported working <55 h per week, 29.7% exercised ≥3 days a week, and 28.0% were overweight or obese. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were found in 46.3%, 30.5%, and 75.8%, respectively. Abnormal findings were observed in 29.7% of chest X-rays, 17.7% of electrocardiograms, 33.0% of echocardiograms, 10.6% of exercise stress tests, and 3.8% of stress echocardiograms. Moderate/extensive coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores were present in 12.7%. The prevalence of CVDs or CAD were 51.7% and 11.2%, respectively. Independent risk factors for CAD included older age, male gender, history and/or new findings of DM, and moderate to extensive CAC scores. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CVDs and CAD among Thai physicians is 51.7% and 11.2%, respectively. The independent risk for CAD was older age, male, having DM, and moderate to extensive CAC scores. The physicians who are at risk should be cautious, modify their lifestyle, and have appropriate screening/diagnostic testing for cardiac abnormality.

Exercise and associated features with low-level exercise among doctors.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity had been reported among doctors-in-training, with very few focusing on attending doctors. This study aimed to evaluate the physical activity, particularly exercise, of Thai doctors and features associated with low-level exercise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thai doctors who participated in the hospital's CSR service, which was conducted between Feb 14, 2022, to Oct 31, 2022, were verbally informed along with an information sheet about this parallel study. The doctors who consented to participate provided their personal data on diets, work hours, illnesses, health surveillance, stress, state of well-being, and exercise. To investigate the association with clinical features, the exercise level was categorized as low-level (≤ 2 days/week) or high-level (≥ 3 days/week). RESULTS: The median age of 1187 doctors was 45.0 years. Slightly over half were female (55.4%) or worked ≤ 40 hours/week (55.3%). The presence of illnesses was found in 55.9%, irregular health surveillance in 29.0%, no/low fiber diet in 19.2%, overweight/obesity in 28.0%, and moderate/severe stress in 25.9%. Among the doctors who provided exercise data, 29.8% had a high-level of exercise and 49.0% had a low-level. Independent features associated with low-level exercise were no/low fiber diet (aOR = 3.01), irregular health surveillance (aOR = 2.41), age ≤ 60 years (aOR = 1.82), female gender (aOR = 1.79), and work > 40 hours/week (aOR =  1.76). CONCLUSIONS: Only 30% of Thai doctors had a high level of exercise. The significant independent factors for low-level exercise were younger age, female, working load, irregular health surveillance, and no/ low fiber diet.

Exercise and associated features with low-level exercise among doctors

Abstract Background: Physical activity had been reported among doctors-in-training, with very few focusing on attending doctors. This study aimed to evaluate the physical activity, particularly exercise, of Thai doctors and features associated with low-level exercise. Materials and methods: Thai doctors who participated in the hospital's CSR service, which was conducted between Feb 14, 2022, to Oct 31, 2022, were verbally informed along with an information sheet about this parallel study. The doctors who consented to participate provided their personal data on diets, work hours, illnesses, health surveillance, stress, state of well-being, and exercise. To investigate the association with clinical features, the exercise level was categorized as low-level (≤ 2 days/week) or high-level (≥ 3 days/week). Results: The median age of 1187 doctors was 45.0 years. Slightly over half were female (55.4%) or worked ≤ 40 hours/week (55.3%). The presence of illnesses was found in 55.9%, irregular health surveillance in 29.0%, no/low fiber diet in 19.2%, overweight/obesity in 28.0%, and moderate/severe stress in 25.9%. Among the doctors who provided exercise data, 29.8% had a high-level of exercise and 49.0% had a low-level. Independent features associated with low-level exercise were no/low fiber diet (aOR = 3.01), irregular health surveillance (aOR = 2.41), age ≤ 60 years (aOR = 1.82), female gender (aOR = 1.79), and work > 40 hours/week (aOR = 1.76). Conclusions: Only 30% of Thai doctors had a high level of exercise. The significant independent factors for low-level exercise were younger age, female, working load, irregular health surveillance, and no/ low fiber diet.