Feasibility of Development of a Cohort in a Rural Area of Sub-Himalayan Region of India to Assess the Emergence of Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Rural area of India is facing epidemiological transitions due to growth and development, warranting a longitudinal study to assess the development of CVDs risk factors.

Objective.

Feasibility of setting up a rural cohort for the assessment and development of biochemical risk factors for CVDs.

Methodology.

In Himachal Pradesh, house-to-house surveys were carried out in six villages for anthropometry and assessment of lipid profile.

All the information was stored in specifically designed web-based software, which can be retrieved at any time.

Results.

A total of 2749 individuals of more than 20 years of age were recruited with a 14.3% refusal rate.

According to Asian criteria, measured overweight and obesity (BMI > 27.5 kg/m2) were 44.9% and 10.5%, respectively.

Obesity was significantly more (P=0.01) among females (11.7%) as compared to males (8.4%).

The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was observed to be 16.3% and 37.4%, respectively.

Eighty percent of individuals had borderline (46.5%) to high (35.4%) level of triglycerides (TGs).

Elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) level were observed among 30.0% and 11.0% individuals only.

Conclusion.

A high prevalence of biochemical risk factors for CVDs in a rural area urges establishment of an effective surveillance system.