Comparison of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Five Regions of Thailand: InterASIA Data
Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD*, Tada Yipintsoi MB, PhD**, Paibul Suriyawongpaisal MD***, Sayan Cheepudomwit MD***, Wichai Aekplakorn MD, PhD***, Pinij Faramnuayphol MD, PhD****, Pyatat Tatsanavivat MD*****, Vongsvat Kosulwat PhD******, Somsak Thamthitiwat MD*******, Chalermsri Nuntawan MSc***
Affiliation : * Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat yai, Songkhla, Thailand ** Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat yai, Songkhla, Thailand *** Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand **** Health Information System Development Office, Health Systems Research Institute, Nonthaburi, Thailand ***** Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ****** Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand ******* International Emerging Infections Program, Thailand MOPH-US CDC Collaboration, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Background : Age- and sex- standardized mortality rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was high in Bangkok
and central Thailand in the year 2000. This may partially be related to differences in risk factors.
Objective : To compare prevalence of CVD risk factors among regions in Thailand in the same period.
Material and Method: From a survey in 2000 (InterASIA) which involved 5 regions in Thailand, conventional
CVD risk factors were compared multivariate-wise among regions and subsequently aligned with CVD deaths
obtained within similar regions from the registry.
Results : Bangkok and a central province had a higher prevalence of the following: hypertension, elevated
body mass index, large waist circumference, elevated lipid associated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol
and diabetes mellitus. The Northeast had a higher prevalence of smoking, low values of high density lipoprotein
cholesterol and high triglyceride.
Conclusion : Definite regional differences existed of CVD risks and death in Thailand in 2000. Some of the
metabolic risk factors may be more important than smoking in the link with CVD death in Thailand.
Keywords : Standardized mortality rate, Cardiovascular disease, Ischemic heart disease, Stroke
