Sibling Risk Factor Study in Premature Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Family history of premature coronary artery disease as a risk factor in first degree relatives has been well established by various studies. This study aims at identification and assessment of the presence of risk factors in asymptomatic siblings of patients with documented premature coronary artery disease. Prevalence of Systemic Hypertension in siblings (both male and female) of patients with premature coronary artery disease (males <45yrs, females <55yrs, confirmed by coronary angiography) was analysed. Other risk factor prevalence estimation was also done which included, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, alcohol intake, obesity, passive smoke exposure, diet and exercise. The study also estimated the percentage of sibling awareness regarding the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study where all patients (both In and Out patient), visiting Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi and diagnosed as having angiographically proven Premature Coronary Artery Disease from December 2014 to June 2016 were identified and risk factor screening was done for both male and female siblings of any age of these patients. Laboratory tests included fasting blood sugar and fasting lipid profile were analysed after sample collection.
Results: 47.6% of male siblings and 35.7% of female siblings were found to be hypertensive, 17.3% of the male siblings and 18.7% of the female siblings were found to have abnormal levels of LDL cholesterol, 22.7% of male siblings and female siblings were found to have abnormal fasting plasma sugar levels, 30.5% of male siblings and 20% of male siblings were found to be overweight. 19.1% of male siblings and 21.4% of female siblings were found to be obese. Only 18.1% of male siblings and 5.7% of female siblings performed any kind of exercise on a regular basis. Among male siblings, 21.9% of male siblings were currently using tobacco in some form. Among non-smokers in both sexes, as many as 36% were exposed to some form of passive smoke. Almost half of the male siblings (49.5%) consumed alcohol containing beverages on a regular basis.
Conclusions: Previously undetected risk factors were found to be highly prevalent among the studied siblings. Significant number of siblings were was found to be hypertensive and in addition some had elevated fasting blood sugar levels. Other modifiable risk factors like obesity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, passive smoking and lack of exercise were also found to be widely prevalent. An important aspect that the study highlighted is the widespread lack of awareness in the study population about risk factors for disease.
(© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)