High prevalence of the cardiovascular risk factors in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. An emerging health care priority.
OBJECTIVE
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cardiovascular mortality is a leading cause of death. Yet, there is a dearth of data on its risk factors.


METHODS
A cross-sectional community based study on established cardiovascular risk factors carried out between February 2004 - February 2005 in Al-Ain City, UAE. Subjects were interviewed, blood pressure, weight, height, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile measured. Framingham risk scores were used for risk assessment.


RESULTS
Eight hundred seventeen subjects (403 males and 414 females) completed the survey, of these 28.4% had a Framingham risk assessment score of more than 20%, 23.3% had diabetes mellitus, 20.8% hypertension, 37.3% obesity, 22.7% metabolic syndrome, and 19.6% of male smoked. Coronary heart disease was reported in 2.4%. Lipid profiles were abnormal in 64% of the males, and in 53.9% of the females, mostly due to low high-density lipoproteins or high triglycerides levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall cardiovascular risk assessment of the population screened calls for targeted interventions.
Baynouna
Latifa M
LM
Department of Primary Health Care, Eastern Region, United Arab Emirates. latifa.mohammad@gmail.com
Revel
Anthony D
AD
Nagelkerke
Nico J
NJ
Jaber
Tariq M
TM
Omar
Aziz O
AO
Ahmed
Nader M
NM
Naziruldeen
Mohammad K
MK
Al-Sayed
Mamdouh F
MF
Nour
Fuad A
FA
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology