Abstract:
Background Patients with ESRF are susceptible to vascular events leading to increased mortality and morbidity. Apart from conventional vascular risk factors, they have a socio-economic background that predisposes them to cardiovascular events. Aims The aim of this study was to describe the socioeconomic status and to find out the proportions of patients with conventional cardiovascular risk factors in a group of patients with ESRF. Methods Total of 65 patients attending a tertiary care centre in Southern Sri Lanka for regular haemodialysis were interviewed and their medical records were examined. Information on education, family income, occupation, smoking and alcohol consumption and the presence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors were collected. Social class of the patients were determined using a criteria defined for Sri Lankans, previously. Results Mean (SD) age of the group (total 65 and 20 women) was 46 (12) years. Forty eight (73.9%) patients were from the ‘poor ’social class while 14 (21.54%) were from the ’lower middle’ class and 3(4.61%) were from the ‘upper middle’ class. Forty seven (72.3%) had education below GCE ordinary level (not schooled; 1.5%, Grade 1-5; 16.9%, Grade 6-11; 24.6%, O/L; 29.2%) while 14 (21.54%) had studied up to GCE Advanced Level and 4 (6.2%) had received university education. Fifty five, (84.6%) patients had monthly family income below Rs.25,000. Presence of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease and hypercholesterolaemia were 15.4%, 90.8%, 33.9%, 7.7%, 29.2% respectively. Twenty two (22/45, 48.9%) men were smokers. Mean(SD) duration of smoking was 19.1 (9.7)years and mean(SD) usage was 6.3 (7.4) pack years. Thirty one (31/45, 68.89%) men had taken alcohol at some stage in life while none of women had ever smoked or taken alcohol. Conclusions The proportion of patients with poor socio-economic status is higher than National values. Similarly a higher prevalence of CV risk factors,when compared with National figures,was observed.
