[Risk factors for acute myocardial infarction in Brazil. FRICAS Study].
OBJECTIVE
To determine risk factors related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Brazil.


METHODS
Five hundred ninety one patients were selected in 20 medical centers in Brazil, between January/94 and March/95. Two-hundred-ninety-nine patients were cases, and 292 controls with a variety of acute diseases not related to the suspected or known risk factors for acute myocardial infarction. All data were collected through a structured questionnaire filled by the patients. The evaluation of the variables was done through univariate analysis with a significance level of 5%.


RESULTS
The factors related to acute myocardial infarction were respectively to cases and controls: Hypercholesterolemia--210.93 +/- 46.74 mg/dl and 185.71 +/- 45.45 mg/dl, (p = 0.000); smoking--41.69% and 27.20% (p = 0.000); hypertension--52.35% and 20.88% (p = 0.000); diabetes--19.70% and 9.93% (p = 0.001); family history--related to the patient's father in 42.14% and 33.22% (p = 0.025) and to the mother in 42.14% and 30.82% (p = 0.007); socioeconomic level--88.99% and 60.20% owned house (p = 0.002); 44.45% and 33.21% owned car (p = 0.010); physical activity--56.83% and 48.28% had the habit of walking in the year prior to study entry (p = 0.029); diet--38.79% and 28.42% consumed canned food (p = 0.013). The mean weight was 72.50 +/- 26.89 kg and 69 +/- 12.26 kg (p = 0.0271). The mean height was 166.56 +/- 8.81 cm and 166.66 +/- 8.47 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed the importance of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, overweight and family history as risk factors for acute myocardial infarction. There was a significant relation between socioeconomic level and the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction.
da Silva
M A
MA
Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo.
Sousa
A G
AG
Schargodsky
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors