Stable prevalence of coronary heart disease according to electrocardiographic findings in Mauritius between 1987 and 2009

Abstract

Background: Mortality from cardiovascular disease is high in Mauritius. Also the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is high in Mauritius, and it has been increasing. It is unclear if the increase in glucose intolerance seen in Mauritius is paralleled with an increasing prevalence of CHD. Materials and methods: Five population-based surveys were performed in Mauritius between 1987 and 2009. Altogether 29,538 participated, and life–style related questionnaires with questions about previous cardiovascular disease (CVD) (angina, stroke myocardial infarction), anthropometry, biochemistry, and oral glucose tolerance tests were included. Four out of five surveys included 12-lead ECGs (n=18,073) in those aged 35 years or more. ECG changes were classified as “probable CHD” (anterior Q–waves) and “possible CHD” (STT depression/ inversion or LBBB) according to Minnesota code. Prevalences were age and sex adjusted to the Mauritian population in 2009. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test associations between traditional risk-markers and CHD. Results: Self-reported CVD did not increase in men between 1987 and 2009, 3.9% (3.0–4.9) vs. 5.1% (4.2–6.1), respectively, or in women, 2.0% (1.4–2.7) and 3.2 (2.6–3.9), respectively. The prevalence of probable CHD did not increase between 1987 and 2009, 1.6% (1.2–2.1) and 1.7% (1.4–2.1), respectively, whereas the prevalence of possible CHD decreased, 23.7% (22.3–25.2) and 19.9% (18.7– 21.0), respectively. Probable CHD was more common in men than in women, and increased with age, whereas possible CHD was more common in women, especially in those with an African ancestry. Probable CHD was more common in participants with self-reported cardiovascular disease, but not in those with hypertension, diabetes or prediabetes. Possible CHD was more common in those with CVD or hypertension, but not in those with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes, prediabetes, hypert