Incidence of Coronary Artery Disease in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2019–2020: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant cause of death and morbidity in people globally despite advances in treatment. Prevention of CAD risk factors is crucial to reducing its prevalence. We conducted this study to determine the incidence of CAD from 2019 to 2020 in King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and its major risk factors among this population. Method This retrospective study involved all patients diagnosed with CAD at KAUH in 2019 and 2020. We analyzed validated hospital data to determine the incidence of CAD and identify the risk factors among participants. The incidence of CAD was calculated based on the total number of patients admitted to KAUH by gender, age group, and nationality (Saudi/non-Saudi). Result The study included 1,364 patients with a mean age of 49 years. Most patients were men (n=1,050; 77%), with fewer women (n=314; 23%), and 71.2% were non-Saudi. The incidence of CAD in 2019 was 220.98 per 10,000, and the incidence in 2020 was 3,030.52 per 10,000. However, the incidence for 2020 was confounded by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic-related restrictions affecting hospital admissions. The most common diagnosis was acute transmural myocardial infarction, and patients aged <60 years had a significantly high incidence of hypertension, high total cholesterol levels, low low-density lipoprotein levels, and high triglyceride levels. Patients ≥60 years had a significantly high incidence of chronic kidney disease, low hemoglobin levels, history of ischemic heart disease, and intensive care unit or critical care unit admission. Conclusion The study demonstrated a significant rise in CAD incidence associated with advanced age and male sex. Further prevention and control of these risk factors would be essential to decrease the incidence of CAD. A national community-based prevention effort should be implemented to avoid the expected CAD epidemic in KSA.