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Gender Difference in Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Older Persons in Northern Iran

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Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the first cause of death among older persons worldwide. Therefore, assessing the characteristics of cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly should become a priority especially in populations with different dietary and cultural characteristics. Determining the gender difference in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among elderly population in northern Iran. This is a cross sectional study in a representative sample of urban population from14 cities in northern Iran. Subjects 15 year-old and older were interviewed and examined by a trained research team. Blood samples were drawn for biochemical testing. Data analysis was done using SPSS 14 software and χ 2 test was used. For the aims of this study only data obtained from subjects 60 year old and older were included. From 2282 subjects in the whole study population, 291 (12.7 %) subjects were older than 60 years. From them 51.5 % were male, 42.1 % were illiterate and 9 % had academic education (more than 12th grade). 27.4 % males and 2.1 % females were smokers (ρ < 0.0001). Hypertension was reported in 54.9 % males and 81 % females (ρ < 0.0001). 50.7 % males and 72.1 % females had dyslipidemia (ρ < 0.0001), 24 % males and 35.5 % females were diabetic (ρ < 0.04). Only 48.2 % males and 22.6 % females had normal weight with the rest being either overweight or obese (ρ < 0.0001). In contrast to other demographic studies, and with the exception of smoking, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Iran is higher in older women in comparison to men. These findings indicate that a comprehensive national program for management of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly, with emphasis on older women, is urgently needed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from Financial vice chancellorship of municipality of Guilan Province. We thank Dr Arman Mazooji at the Danesh Laboratory for laboratory testing. We also thank Sharareh Kiabi, Azam Jahangir Bloorchian and all health centers staff of Guilan province. Finally thanks to the Clinical Research development Center in Pour –Sina hospital in Rasht, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Heshmat Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

    A. Barzigar

  2. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 41635/3381, Rasht, Iran

    Z. Mohtasham-Amiri

  3. Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

    H. Rahimi-Kolamroudi, S. Hoseini, S. M. Rezvani, A. Dadashi & A. Jafari-Shakib

  4. Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, Tonekabon, Iran

    K. Fatemi

  5. Department of Immunology, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

    R. Jafari-Shakib

  6. Divisions of Geriatric Medicine, Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    G. Duque

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  1. A. Barzigar
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  2. Z. Mohtasham-Amiri
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Correspondence to Z. Mohtasham-Amiri.

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Barzigar, A., Mohtasham-Amiri, Z., Rahimi-Kolamroudi, H. et al. Gender Difference in Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Older Persons in Northern Iran. Ageing Int 38, 233–244 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-012-9177-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-012-9177-9

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