Distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among the cardiology  outpatient population in RIPAS hospital, Brunei Darussalam

Nur Azri MOHD YASIN ^{1, 2}, Siti Aisyah IBRAHIM ^{1, 3}, Mohammad Basirun AHMAD ^{1, 4}

¹ University of Otago, Wellington, ² Radiation Oncology Department, Dunedin Hospital,  ³ Department of Medicine, Dunedin Hospital, and ⁴ Emergency Department, Wellington Regional Hospital, New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of mortality (12.5%) in Brunei Da

russalam after cancer and there is minimal data regarding this disease in Brunei. The objective of this

study is to describe the distribution of risk factors among cardiology clinic outpatient population in RIPAS hospital. Methods: A retrospective study looking into the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in cardiology outpatient population in RIPAS hospital was carried out. Risk factors collected were: age, gender, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, hypertension, last recorded blood pressure, diabetes and smoking status. Previous history of cardiovascular events within the last 5 years was also recorded and 10-year coronary heart disease risk was estimated for the population using the Framingham risk score using the one based on total cholesterol level. Results: Seventy-four percent of the population that attended cardiology outpatient clinic were between 40 to 70 years of age. The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and smoking were 34%, 67%, 36% and 15% respectively. Number of smokers among females was significantly lower compared to males, and females were found to have significantly higher levels of high density lipoprotein compared to males. Out of 325 patients, 78 (23%) males and 56 (17%) females had a previous history of cardiovascular event. About 91.7% of the total population has at least one risk factor and 1.2% has all four risk factors. 10% of the study population were considered to be of high 10 year risk of coronary heart disease based on the Framingham Risk Score. Conclusion: The most prevalent risk factor is hypertension (67%). About 91.7% had at least one risk factor and 10% was considered to have a high 10 year risk of coronary heart disease. We hope that this study will provide good baseline data for future cardiovascular research in Brunei.  

Keywords: Coronary disease, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Brunei

Correspondence author: Nur Azri Bin HAJI MOHD YASIN  Radiation Oncology Department, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin 9054 New Zealand

E mail: azri.yasin@otagoalumni.ac.nz

Brunei Int Med J. 2015; 11 (3): 134-138