Risk factors and psychosomatic status among the military population of Azerbaijan with coronary artery disease

Abstract

Aim. To study the main behavioural and biological risk factors, as well as psychosomatic status among the military men of Azerbaijan with coronary artery disease (CAD).Material and methods. The study included 116 men with coronary artery disease, who were divided into 2 groups according to their social status. Group I consisted of 60 patients from military population, while group II — 56 patients from general population. All patients were treated in the cardiovascular department of the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces (Baku, Azerbaijan). The age range was 3065 years (mean age, 55±3,6 years). The following risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were studied: smoking, obesity, hypertension (HTN), hypercholesterolemia, stress and anxiety/depression.Results. In the study group, the most common risk factor was hypercholesterolemia, which occurred in 80% of patients (46 and 47 patients among military and general population, respectively). HTN occurred in 78% and 68% of military and general population, respectively. Smoking was significantly more often detected among military personnel (68%) compared with the control group (50%). Abdominal obesity and diabetes were significantly more common among general population with CAD (57% and 36% vs 38% and 20%, respectively). Psychosomatic disorders (chronic stress, anxiety and depression) were >50% more often recorded among military personnel than general population.Conclusion. In both groups of men with CAD, the most common risk factors are HTN and hypercholesterolemia. Smoking, chronic stress, anxiety/depression predominated among the military, while diabetes and abdominal obesity were more common among general population. The data obtained can be used to determine the strategy of treatment and secondary prevention of CVD among military population.