Has Coronary Artery Disease in Young Patients Referred to the University Hospital Increased?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of deaths and injuries in the world, including Iran and higher percentage of deaths occur in young people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of coronary artery disease in the past decade among young people referring to angiography department of Golestan hospital, Ahvaz. Subjects and This cross-sectional epidemiological study was based on data collected from patients records admitted for elective angiography Ahvaz Golestan Hospital from 2001 to 2011. The patients were divided into 5 age groups. Each group was allocated according to CAD severity, normal, minimal, one, two and three stenosised vessels. Severity of coronary artery disease in each age group were compared ten years later. The overall CAD prevalence in all age groups was 65.3% in 2011 and 67.6% in 2001 (P<0.54). Prevlance of CAD in patients equal and younger than 45 yr was 52.45% in 2001 and 42.2% in 2011 (P< 0.29). In 2001, the % of CAD in patients aged 45-50, 50-55, 55-60 and > 60 yr patients who had CAD was 68.1, 66.6, 71.1, and 79.4 % respectively. While, the prevalence among the same age group in 2011 was 56.25, 60, 69.5 and 83.3.respectivley (all P>0.05). The overall prevalence of coronary artery disease among different age groups did not change significantly over time. It seems that there is no significant change in frequency of CAD between 2001 and 2011 years