What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Cardiovascular risk factors (n=550). Intervention: Expatriates vs. Saudi nationals. Primary outcome: Prevalence of dyslipidemia (p=<0.001).

March 14, 2017Open Access

Cardiovascular risk factors burden in Saudi Arabia: The Africa Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia had a significantly higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (75.5% vs 55.1%) and hypertension (47.5% vs 31.4%) compared to Saudi nationals.

Key Result

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia had a significantly higher prevalence of dyslipidemia (75.5% vs 55.1%) and hypertension (47.5% vs 31.4%) compared to Saudi nationals.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=550)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

What is the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Saudi nationals compared to expatriates attending primary care clinics in Saudi Arabia?

Population

Adults attending primary care clinics in Saudi Arabia

Comparator

Saudi nationals vs. expatriates

Outcome

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, abdominal obesity)

Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for community-based screening and improved primary care risk factor control.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 75.5% vs 55.1%

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Potential selection bias limiting the generalizability of the study findings
Distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among outpatients cannot represent the general population
Exploratory analysis without multiplicity correction, meaning p-values may not be indicative of statistical significance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the epidemiology of cardiovascular risk factors in Saudi Arabia, particularly in relation to the differences between Saudi nationals and expatriates in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this analysis was to describe the current prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among patients attending general practice clinics across Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional epidemiological analysis of the Africa Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, abdominal obesity) was evaluated in adults attending primary care clinics in Saudi Arabia. Group comparisons were made between patients of Saudi ethnicity (SA nationals) and patients who were not of Saudi ethnicity (expatriates). RESULTS: = 0.0028) were higher among SA nationals vs. expatriates. CONCLUSION: Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in SA nationals and expatriates. Programmed community-based screening is needed for all cardiovascular risk factors in Saudi Arabia. Improving primary care services to focus on risk factor control may ultimately decrease the incidence of coronary artery disease and improve overall quality of life. The ACE trial is registered under NCT01243138.

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