PATTERN OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES ACCORDING TO AGE AND GENDER IN A RURAL DISTRICT OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine pattern of CVDs according to age and gender in patients attending a district hospital in rural Sindh. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. Data was available for Jan 2009 –May 2010 on variables including patients' date of admission and discharge, area of residence, age, gender and diagnosis.After data cleaning and excluding entries with missing information, data for 1764 patients were included in the final analysis. Results: Ischemic heart disease was most common diagnosis (72.5%) followed by left ventricular failure (3.8%), cardio-myopathy (3.17%) and congenital heart defects (4.8%). Higher proportion of males had CVDs compared to females. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were commonly reported comorbidsties. Conclusion: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus prevalence was slightly lower than urban counterparts. More research is warranted in order to determine the prevalence and variation of risk factors.