Prevalence and Risk Factors for Acute Coronary Syndrome Among Sudanese Individuals With Diabetes: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is common with diabetes. The aim of this study was to establish prevalence and risk factors for ACS among Sudanese individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Khartoum State and Atabra (North of Sudan). The data collection was performed through pretested questionnaire, in addition to measurement of lipid profile and HbA1c. RESULTS: Among the 496 respondents, 234 (48.4%) were males and only 15 of them had ACS, while 255 (51.6%) were females and 12 had ACS. Therefore, the prevalence of ACS was 5.44% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.45-7.44%). The unadjusted risk factors for ACS were age (P = 0.0008864), duration of DM (P = 0.01105) and presence of hypertension (P = 0.0006021). The presence of albuminuria, gender, and body mass index (BMI) was not associated with ACS. In addition, parameters like HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride and low-density cholesterol (LDL) were also not associated with ACS. Logistic regression analysis showed that duration of diabetes (odds ratio (OR) for below 5 years’ history of DM = 0.175 (95% CI for OR: 0.180 - 0.835), P = 0.04051) and hypertension (OR = 2.462 (95% CI for OR: 1.007 - 6.500), P = 0.039) were absolute risk factors for ACS. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ACS is estimated to be 5.44%. ACS in Sudanese individuals with DM was associated with hypertension, increase in age and increase in duration of DM.