Which major atherosclerosis risk factors represents the extent of coronary artery disease?

BACKGROUND:Although cardiovascular diseases get top position in burden of disease list, the role of risk factors in extent and severity of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) remain controversial. To study the determinants of severity and extent of coronary artery disease in consecutive patients with major risk factors of CAD undergoing clinically indicated coronary angiography.   METHODS: In this cross sectional study, coronary angiograms of ۳۲۵ men and ۲۳۵ women patients were analyzed quantitatively. Then systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, height, fasting blood sugar, serum lipids and smoking habit were collected in a questionnaire. Relationship of angiographic scores, reflecting severity and extent of CAD were comparing with potential risk factors using logistic and multiple linear regression analysis. We found significant differences between age and fasting blood glucose in patients with positive coronary angiogram versus patients with negative coronary angiogram (P<۰.۰۵). RESULTS: Diabetic patients have higher score compare to non diabetics in both sexes and same difference were found in obese men. Fasting Blood Sugar in both sexes (males ۰.۰۱۷, females ۰.۰۱۶), diastolic blood pressure (۰.۰۴۴) in males and body mass index (BMI) (۰.۰۰۵) and HDL cholesterol (- ۰.۰۸۱) in females were significantly predictive factors for severity and extent of CAD (regression coefficient).   CONCLUSION: This findings show that in patients with positive coronary angiogram, fasting blood sugar in both sexes, high diastolic blood pressure in males and HDL-C and BMI in females may be stronger predictors of extent of CAD. Prevention of these risk factors may be effective in controlling the progress of CAD.   Key words: Coronary artery disease, extent, risk factors, angiography