Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) in particular, is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Iran. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of CAD in Central Iran using the Rose Questionnaire and Electrocardiography.

methods: 6498 people aged above 35 years were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Multi-stage cluster sampling was conducted in the provincial cities of Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic and job data. The Rose chest pain questionnaire with five questions was filled out by trained physicians. ECG and Minnesota coding were performed. Data were analyzed with chi-square test using SPSS 11.

results: 3338 women and 3160 men participated in the study. The prevalence of CAD based on the Rose questionnaire and Minnesota coding was 37.5% in women and 22.2% in men. The prevalence of CAD increased with age in both sexes. The prevalence of definite and possible MI based on ECG was higher in men; however, a higher prevalence of possible and definite ischemia was found in women. The prevalence of CAD based on the Rose questionnaire was higher in women of all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of CAD in the Iranian community warrants a comprehensive primary and secondary prevention program.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease, Rose questionnaire, Minnesota code, ECG, prevalence.