Association between Socioeconomic Status and Major Risk Factors of Stroke: Thai Epidemiologic Stroke (TES) Study
Boonchai Pipatvanichgul MD*, Suchat Hanchaiphiboolkul MD*, Pimchanok Puthkhao MSc*, Tasanee Tantirittisak MD*, Somchai Towanabut MD*
Affiliation : * Prasat Neurological Institute, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To investigate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) (education, personal income, and occupation) with
four major risk factors of stroke, those are diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and current smoker.
Material and Method: The Thai Epidemiologic Stroke Study is a community-based cohort study, which recruited participants
from the general population from five geographic regions around the country. Cross-sectional baseline data of 19,997
(6,803 men and 13,194 women) participants, aged 45 to 80 years were included in the present analysis. Multiple logistic
regression analysis was used to estimate association of socioeconomic indicators with the major risk factors of stroke.
Results : SES was associated with a major risk factor of stroke. Among three indicators of socioeconomic status, education
was more consistently associated with the risk factors than personal income and occupation, particularly in women. Education
significantly inversely associated with diabetes (p = 0.015 in men and 0.002 in women, respectively), and current smoker
in both sexes (p<0.001), and with hypertension in women (p = 0.011). By contrast, education was significantly positively
associated with hypercholesterolemia in women (p<0.001).
Conclusion : The differences in the prevalence of the major risk factors of stroke between SES groups were important, and
should be considered in the development of policies or tailored strategies for prevention of stroke.
Keywords : Socioeconomic status (SES), Cardiovascular risk factors, Stroke, Epidemiology, Thailand
