Determinants of Myocardial Infarction in Saurashtra Region, Gujarat: A Case–control Study

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a multifactorial noncommunicable disease. The study was conducted with an objective to assess the role of various sociodemographic and clinicoepidemiological determinants of MI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cases and controls were selected in the ratio of 1:1 and were group matched for age, sex, and type of residence. Cases of MI were selected from the intensive coronary care unit of the medicine department at a tertiary care hospital, Rajkot, for 1 year. Controls were selected from the general population of Rajkot district. Information was collected in pretested pro forma using the interview technique. RESULTS: A total of 406 cases and equal number of controls were enrolled in the study. Several risk factors identified for MI included illiteracy, upper socioeconomic class, family history of MI, Type A personality, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obese or overweight, high waist–hip ratio, low intake of leafy vegetables, low intake of fruits, and history of acute life event for the past 1 year. On applying logistic regression model, these factors were also identified as independent determinants for MI. CONCLUSION: The findings confirm the role of conventional risk factors for MI and also highlight the role of sociodemographic factors such as illiteracy, higher social class, low intake of leafy vegetables and fruits, and history of acute life event.