Burden of noncommunicable diseases in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Noncommunicable diseases are increasing in Pakistan and are responsible for 58% of all deaths. Information is lacking for the risks factors of these diseases in Pakistan. Aims: To determine the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and abnormal heart rate and their risk factors in a multiethnic, low-income area of Lahore. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in an urban settlement of Lahore in September 2018–2019. Eligible participants were aged ≥ 30 years and resident in the settlements selected. We used a modified World Health Organization STEPS questionnaire to collect data from a random sample of 906 residents. The modified questionnaire had a Cronbach alpha of 80.0%. Participants were interviewed in their homes and their height, weight, heart rate and hip circumference were measured. Results: Most of the respondents were women (64.5%). The greatest proportion of the participants were aged 30–39 years (42.4%). Of all the respondents, 40.1% had hypertension, 15.8% had diabetes and 17.0% had ischaemic heart disease. Of the risk factors examined, 68.8% of the respondents were overweight or obese, 37.0% had pre-hypertension, 13.6% used tobacco and 1.8% used alcohol. Age was the most significant risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. Body mass index was significantly associated with diabetes in women, while family history of diabetes was significantly associated with diabetes in men. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was higher in our sample in Lahore compared with the national statistics. Significant proportions of our respondents had pre-hypertension and pre-diabetes making them vulnerable to serious complications of hypertension and diabetes.

Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease (NCDs) risk factors in Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu STEPS Survey (TN STEPS), 2020

“…Only Punjab has a higher prevalence of hypertension (40.1%) than Tamil Nadu, whereas other states like Haryana (26.2%) and Madya Pradesh have a lower prevalence (22.3%) [ 12 , 13 , 30 ]. The prevalence of hypertension in other LMICs like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan were 21%, 25% and 40%, respectively [ 26 , 27 , 31 ].…”

“…The burden is similar to Kerala (19.2%) and Haryana (15.5%) [ 10 , 13 ]. The prevalence of Diabetes in other LMICs like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal are 15%, 16%, 8%, and 6% respectively [ 25 – 27 , 31 ].…”

Evaluation of the District Health Information System in District Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir: A Retrospective Analysis

“…Of the participants, high blood pressure (40.1%), diabetes (15.8%), and IHD (17.0%) were common, and the risk factors were obesity or overweight (68.8%), prehypertension (37.0%), smoking (13.6%), and alcohol use (1.8%). Age was the most important risk factor; 42.4% were between the ages of 30 and 39 years, and 23.8% were in adults aged 60 years and older [ 21 ]. High prevalences of peptic ulcer disease, hypertension (HTN), DM, and IHD were reported in the present data.…”

Effectiveness of Discharge Education on Self Efficacy among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

“…Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a pivotal challenge to global health, with coronary artery disease (CAD) at the forefront as the principal cause of mortality in the United States and the third leading cause globally, as underscored by statistics indicating 18.6 million deaths in 2019 attributable to CVDs (1)(2)(3). This prevalence is mirrored in Pakistan, where non-communicable diseases, including CVDs, account for 58% of deaths, highlighting the critical nature of this issue (4). The pathophysiology of CAD, driven by atherosclerosis and the resultant plaque accumulation in coronary arteries, precipitates ischemia, necrosis, and elevates the risk of acute coronary syndromes such as unstable angina and myocardial infarction.…”