Risk factors associated with Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in Thailand from the 4th National Health Examination Survey 2008-2009

Objectives: This study aims to describe the current situation of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and to explore the association of the modifiable risk factors with Coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in Thailand. Methods: The 4th National Health Examination Survey (NHESIV) dataset has been used in this study. 19,342 participants aged ≥15 years have completed the data gathering process on CVD risk factors have been included in the analysis, which comprises 9,246 men and 10,096 women. The descriptive statistic, the bivariate analysis and the multiple logistic regression have been performed to describe and explore the association among CVD risk factors, CHD and stroke. The modifiable risk factors included in the analysis are age, BMI, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diabetes and regular smoking. Results: The mean age of the participants is 52.7 years. The prevalence of CHD was 2.5% in men, and 2.3% in women and the prevalence of stroke was 2.5% in men and 1.6% in women. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 10.1%, and regular smoking was 17.9%. When exploring the association of the modifiable risk factors with CHD and stroke, using the bivariate and multivariate analysis, the results show that factors associated with both CHD and stroke are being aged 55 and over, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity, high triglyceride level and low HDL-C, only showed association with CHD but does not show any significant association to stroke. Having a high triglyceride level was related to stroke just in women but does not show any association in men. The factors that do not show significant association in both CHD and stroke are high total cholesterol and being a regular smoker. Conclusions: Although the analysis of the cross-sectional data was not able to identify the cause and effect of the factors relating to CHD or stroke, it showed some association with these modifiable risk factors for CVD. The modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes need to be of concern in considering the CVD prevention strategies in Thailand