Distribution of risk factors in patients with premature coronary, supra-aortic branches and peripheral atherosclerotic disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of major risk factors among patients with atherosclerotic disease aged ≤50 years.


METHODS
The study population comprised 944 patients aged ≤50 years with clinically significant manifestations of atherosclerotic disease compared with 350 consecutive (control) older patients (age >50 years).


RESULTS
The most significant risk factors for atherosclerotic disease of the supra-aortic branches were: smoking (87.5%, p < 0.001), family history of atherosclerosis (52.3%, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (28.5%) and being male (56.9%) (p < 0.05 for both). In patients with coronary artery disease, there was considerable disparity in the prevalence of smoking (85.4%), hyperlipoproteinemia (67.4%), and family history of atherosclerosis (68%) (p < 0.001). For peripheral artery disease, the most significant risk factors were smoking (97%, p < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (p < 0.01), and family history of atherosclerotic disease (p < 0.01). When compared to controls, patients with premature atherosclerosis smoked more frequently, had hyperlipidemia, had a family history of atherosclerosis, and were more frequently of male sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Premature atherosclerosis was most frequently associated with smoking, hyperlipidemia, family history of atherosclerotic disease, and male sex.
Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute for Cardiovascular Disease Dedinje, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Djordje
D
Radak
Srdjan
S
Babic
Miodrag
M
Peric
Petar
P
Popov
Slobodan
S
Tanaskovic
Dusan
D
Babic
Dario
D
Jocic
Petar
P
Otasevic
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055771:Serbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult