Associated Factors of Ischemic Heart Disease Identified Among Post-Menopausal Women

Article information

Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2019;10(2):56-63
College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Deajeon, Korea
*Corresponding author: Yeon-Hee Jeong, College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea, E-mail: yeonhee389@naver.com
Received 2018 December 15; Revised 2019 February 14; Accepted 2019 March 07.

Abstract

Objectives

This study identifies associated factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among post-menopausal Korean women at the biomedical (age, family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or cerebro-cardiovascular disease, body mass index, and metabolic syndrome), biosocial (socioeconomic status and educational level), and psychosocial levels (stress, depression, smoking, binge alcohol consumption, and physical activity).

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design with secondary data analysis of the 2013–2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data from 3,636 women were analyzed by logistic regression analysis using a complex sample procedure.

Results

Of the biomedical factors, older age [odds ratio (OR): 2.99, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.87–4.80, p < 0.001], family history (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.44–3.65, p = 0.001), and metabolic syndrome (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.27–2.95, p = 0.002) were associated with IHD in post-menopausal women. Of the psychosocial factors, depression (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.66–3.96, p < 0.001) and smoking (OR: 1.92, CI: 1.04–3.55, p = 0.038) were associated with IHD in post-menopausal women.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that healthcare providers need to consider the contributing adverse effects of older age, family history, metabolic syndrome, depression and smoking when evaluating risk factors for IHD in post-menopausal women.

Introduction

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a cardiovascular disease characterized by a narrowed or clogged coronary artery, including angina pectoralis and myocardial infarction [1]. Globally, the prevalence of IHD increases with age and poor lifestyle, such as high-fat and high-calorie diets, insufficient physical activity, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption. It has been the primary cause of death worldwide for the past 15 years [2]. As IHD is a major cause of increasing mortality among Korean adults over 40 years old, mortality due to IHD increased from 41.1 per 100,000 people in 2006, to 58.2 per 100,000 people in 2016, and it was the second leading cause of death among Korean adults in 2016 [3]. Thus, middle-aged individuals (over 40 years) should be concerned about the associated factors of IHD.

In particular, middle-aged women over 40 years are the group at greatest risk of IHD with complications due to an alteration in hormone levels associated with menopause, and the accumulation of body fat, such as abdominal obesity due to aging [1]. Post-menopausal women also showed a greater increase in systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as low density lipoprotein associated with development of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease [4]. In a previous study, mortality and morbidity associated with IHD among post-menopausal women was higher than that of men in the same age group [5]. This was due to weakened protective effects against cardiovascular disease associated with estrogen deficiency. However, pre-menopausal women showed a lower prevalence of mortality and morbidity associated with IHD than men in the same age group [5]. Thus, early intervention, including detection of risk factors for IHD, would be required to decrease mortality and morbidity associated with IHD among post-menopausal women as this group may be considered as an at-risk population. In particular, risk factors of IHD are different according to gender due to differences in microvascular function [6]. In addition, components of metabolic syndrome among women were more significantly associated with the development of IHD than those of men [7]. Thus, the specific factors associated with IHD among women need to be identified.

In previous studies, the factors identified as being associated with IHD were mainly biological factors, such as age [8] and the components of metabolic syndrome [9]. However, the development of IHD has also been associated with various psychosocial factors, including emotional distress and socioeconomic status [10]. Thus, the identification of the associated factors of IHD in post-menopausal women is multidimensional, including both biological and psychological characteristics.

The biopsychosocial model developed by Hoffman and Driscoll [11] has been considered a framework for the holistic approach to health status, and was appropriate for identification of potential biomedical (e.g., genetics, biological processes, disease symptoms), biosocial (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and environment), and psychosocial factors (e.g., mood, behaviors, social support) associated with IHD. A literature review revealed that biomedical factors associated with an increased risk of IHD were increasing age [8], family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or cerebro-cardiovascular disease [8], being overweight or obese [1], and metabolic syndrome [4]. In addition, biosocial factors such as, low educational level and socioeconomic status, were associated with an increased risk of IHD [12]. Finally, psychosocial factors such as, depression [13], high level of emotional stress [14], having previously smoked [8,15], binged on alcohol [15], and had a low level of physical activity [14] were associated factors for IHD.

Thus, associated factors of IHD among post-menopausal Korean women at the biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial levels were identified.

Materials and Methods

1. Study design and samples

This study used a cross-sectional design with secondary data analysis of the 2013–2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The KNHANES is a nationwide survey that evaluates the health and nutritional status of the Korean population. In this survey 41,102 people were selected by stratified sampling method. Samples for data analysis included post-menopausal women older than 40 years of age who had completed a questionnaire that assessed health and nutritional status and had undergone a physical examination. Ultimately, data from 3,636 women were analyzed.

2. Ethics statement

The KNHANES was approved by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Institutional Review Board (IRB No. 2013-12EXP-03-5C), and all participants provided written informed consent. This study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

3. Measurements

3.1. Outcome variable

3.1.1. IHD

The presence of IHD was assessed by asking participants the following question, “Do you have angina pectoralis or myocardial infarction diagnosed by a cardiologist?” The available responses were “yes” or “no.”

3.2. Independent variables

3.2.1. Biomedical factors

In terms of biomedical factors, age was categorized into more than 40 years – less than 65 years, and more than 65 years. Family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM or cerebro-cardiovascular disease were assessed by asking the following question, “Have any of your direct family members been diagnosed with hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM, or cerebro-cardiovascular disease by a cardiologist?” Available responses were “yes” or “no.” Body mass index was calculated with height and weight by measured standardized instruments in kilograms, divided by the height in meters squared (m2). Body mass index was classified into underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (≥ 18.5 kg/m2 and < 23 kg/m2), overweight (≥ 23 kg/m2 and < 25 kg/m2), or obese (≥ 25 kg/m2) using the criteria recommended by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity [16]. Metabolic syndrome was defined in accordance with the clinical diagnostic criteria established by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [17]. For evaluation of waist circumference, the study used criteria from the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity [18]. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed when more than 3 out of the following 5 components were present; 1) waist circumference ≥ 85 cm in women, 2) blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg, or taking medication for treatment of hypertension, 3) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels < 50 mg/dL in women, or use of medications to decrease levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 4) triglyceride levels ≥ 150 mg/dL, or taking medications to decrease triglyceride levels, and 5) a fasting glucose level ≥ 100 mg/dL, or use of medication for treatment of hyperglycemia.

3.2.2. Biosocial factors

In terms of biosocial factors, socioeconomic status was categorized into high, middle, or low class. The educational level was categorized into less than graduation from elementary school, graduation from middle school, graduation from high school, or more than graduation from college.

3.2.3. Psychosocial factors

Emotional status and health related behaviors such as smoking, binge alcohol consumption, and physical activity was included in psychosocial factors as described in the model of Hoffman and Driscoll [11].

In terms of psychosocial factors, stress was assessed with the following question, “What is the level of daily stress?” The response was categorized into severe, a little, or not at all. Depression was assessed with the following question, “Do you currently have depression diagnosed by a psychiatrist?” Available responses were “yes” or “no.” Current or past smoking habits were assessed with the following question, “Do you smoke cigarettes currently, or have you smoked cigarettes in the past?” Available responses were “yes” or “no.” Binge alcohol consumption was assessed by asking Alcohol Consumption Questions which consisted of questions concerning the frequency of alcohol consumption per week [response rate: 0 (not at all)-4 points (more than 4 days in a week)], mean amount per occasion [response rate: 0 (not at all)-4 points (more than 10 glasses)], and frequency of binge alcohol consumption of more than 5 glasses of alcohol per occasion per week regardless of the type of alcohol [response rate: 0 (less than 2 glasses) –4 points (more than 10 glasses)]. The total score, with the sum of each response rate was from 0 to 12 points, and a score of more than 8 points was considered binge alcohol consumption. Physical activity was assessed using the Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET)-minutes of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [19]. Physical activity comprising of activities performed during work and leisure periods was calculated as the sum of walking, and categorized as moderate or vigorous MET-minutes per week. Vigorous physical activity was more than 3,000 MET-minutes per week. In addition, more than 600 MET-minutes and less than 3,000 MET-minutes per week was evaluated as moderate physical activity, and less than 600 MET-minutes per week was evaluated as light physical activity.

4. Statistical analysis

Data analysis were conducted with SPSS version 22.0 for Windows (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Since the KNHANES used stratified, clustered, and systematic sampling methods, sampling weight with complex samples procedures were needed to adjust for the unequal probabilities of the selection of their estimates, and to decrease the bias associated with no-response and non-coverage of the population. The characteristics of the participants, including IHD and biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors, were analyzed by descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. To confirm significant biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors in the development of IHD, a Rao-Scott Chi-square test was also performed. Significant biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors revealed by the Chi-square test were analyzed using logistic regression. Logistic regression analysis was performed on weighted data using a complex sampling procedure to identify the factors significantly associated with the development of IHD.

Results

1. Biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors of participants

The biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors of participants are described in Table 1. In reference to the biomedical factors, there were 2,032 out of 3,636 women (62.7%) older than 40 years and less than 65 years. Among the participants, 2,346 women (65.8%) had a family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM, or cerebro-cardiovascular disease. In addition, 1,360 women (39.4%) were overweight or obese, and 1,802 women (46.7%) had metabolic syndrome.

Biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors of participants (N = 3,636).

In reference to the biosocial factors, 1,729 (47.8%) women reported that their socioeconomic status was middle class. In addition, women with an educational level of less than graduation from elementary school were most common [1,702 women (41.2%)].

For psychosocial factors, more than half of the participants (2,011 women, 55.6%) experienced a little stress. In addition, 344 women (9.2%) were diagnosed with depression. Concerning current and previous smoking habits, 219 women (6.5%) were either currently smoking or had previously smoked, and 102 women (3.1%) engaged in binge alcohol consumption. Finally, women who engaged in low intensity physical activity were most common (1,818 women, 47.8%) in this study.

2. The difference in IHD development according to biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors among post-menopausal women

The difference in IHD development according to biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors among post-menopausal women is described in Table 2. The prevalence of biomedical factors in women over 65 years was greater among women with IHD than those without IHD (χ2 = 2,949.12, p < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of women with a family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM, or cerebro-cardiovascular disease was greater among women with IHD than those without IHD (χ2 = 12.84, p = 0.001). The prevalence of overweight or obese women (χ2 = 16.49, p < 0.001), and women with metabolic syndrome (χ2 = 44.84, p < 0.001), was greater among women with IHD than those without IHD.

The difference in IHD development according to biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors among post-menopausal women (N = 3,636).

For biosocial factors, the prevalence of women with low socioeconomic status (χ2 = 26.42, p < 0.001), and an educational level of less than graduation from elementary school (χ2 = 36.65, p < 0.001) was greater among women with IHD than those without IHD.

With respect to psychosocial factors, the prevalence of women with severe or a little stress (χ2 = 3,565.60, p < 0.001) and depression (χ2 = 31.85, p < 0.001) was greater among women with IHD than those without IHD. Finally, the prevalence of women who were currently smoking or had previously smoked (χ2 = 45,548.89, p < 0.001), and who engaged in low intensity physical activity (χ2 = 9.08, p = 0.036) was greater among women with IHD than those without IHD.

3. Associated factors with IHD among post-menopausal women

The factors associated with IHD among post-menopausal women are described in Table 3. The following biomedical factors were all associated with IHD among post-menopausal women; aged 65 years or over, as compared to those in the age range of more than 40 years – less than 65 years [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.99, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.87–4.80, p < 0.001], family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM or cerebro-cardiovascular disease (aOR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.44–3.65, p = 0.001), and metabolic syndrome were all associated with IHD among post-menopausal women (aOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.27–2.95, p = 0.002). For psychosocial factors, both depression (aOR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.66–3.96, p < 0.001) and smoking habits past and present (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.04–3.55, p = 0.038) were associated with IHD among post-menopausal women.

Associated factors with IHD among post-menopausal women (N = 3,636).

Discussion

This study identified the factors associated with IHD among post-menopausal Korean women at the biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial levels. Our results revealed that the biomedical factors significantly associated with IHD of post-menopausal women were age, family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM cerebro-cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. In a study regarding the prediction model for IHD development [8], individuals aged 40 years or more, showed an increased risk of IHD than those aged 40 years or less, and their risk of IHD rapidly increased around 60 years of age. In addition, Ahn et al [20] reported that the risk of IHD increased 2-fold among individuals aged over 65 years compared to those younger than 59 years. Men aged greater than or equal to 55 years with a family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM or cerebro-cardiovascular disease had a 6.9% increased risk of mortality from IHD than men without a family history of these diseases [21]. Also, according to a systematic review [22], the presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with a 2-fold increased risk and mortality of cardiovascular disease, including IHD. Similarly, in a study of Korean post-menopausal women, those with metabolic syndrome showed a 2.2-time increase in mortality from cardiovascular disease due to insulin resistance and abdominal obesity [23]. According to the International Diabetes Federation [24], adipocyte in obese abdomens produced mediating agents, such as tumor necrosis factor, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin, which induced insulin resistance. Furthermore, both abdominal obesity and insulin resistance has been significantly associated with metabolic syndrome that resulted in hypertension and lipid metabolism disturbance, which were also associated with development of IHD [24]. Likewise, post-menopausal women who have a change in fat distribution leading to fat accumulation around the abdomen, may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as IHD. These factors were irrelevant to the body mass index of the women [25]. Thus, post-menopausal women over 40 years with a family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM or cerebro-cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome should be concerned about the risks of developing IHD and should have periodic screenings for the disease from healthcare providers.

Depression and a history of previously smoking were the psychosocial factors that also significantly associated with IHD in post-menopausal women. In a previous study conducted with American post-menopausal women, depression was also significantly associated with cardiovascular disease. In addition, Wassertheil-Smoller et al [13] reported that individuals with cardiovascular disease showed a 1.41-time increased risk of depression than their counterparts. Women with depression presented with a high heart rate and limited variability in heart rate, which resulted in increased morbidity of cardiovascular disease [26]. In addition, patients with depression had an increased C-reactive protein level, which was associated with damage of the coronary artery. As the C-reactive protein level was associated with a negative emotional status such as depression and anxiety [27], post-menopausal women may experience a greater incidence of severe depression due to the decreased secretion of estrogen which is involved in regulation of emotion in the brain [28]. Thus, early detection and treatment of depression may be significant in the prevention of IHD in post-menopausal women. In addition, according to a longitudinal study involving adults over 40 years old, women who previously smoked had a 2.72 times increased risk of IHD, and those currently smoking had a 2.34 times increased risk of IHD [29]. Furthermore, the negative influence of smoking on the development of IHD was more severe in women than men [29]. Among the chemicals present in cigarettes, nicotine enhances nerve sheath materials such as catecholamine, which increases blood pressure, pulse rate, and cardiac output [30]. In addition, the intake of carbon monoxide while smoking increases the presence of carboxyhemoglobin in the body, which contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease by increasing the number of red blood cells, the viscosity of the blood, and platelet activation due to hypoxia [30]. Thus, interventions for smoking prevention and cessation would be important for the prevention of IHD.

This study contributes toward the further understanding of risk factors associated with IHD based on the biological and psychosocial backgrounds of Korean women through analysis of a large data set from the KNHANES. However, other potential associated factors were not considered during the literature review due to the limitations of the secondary data analysis and this may limit the study. Original studies involving various factors are suggested to identify factors associated with IHD among Korean post-menopausal women. In addition, this study used a cross-sectional study design which limits inferences of causality between the independent and dependent variables. Thus, a well-organized longitudinal study needs to be further investigated. Finally, a single question was used to assess the outcome variables (IHD) as well as some independent variables (e.g., stress, depression). Further studies should be conducted using objective diagnostic methods to improve the reliability and validity of the data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, older age, the presence of a family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, T2DM or cerebro-cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, a history of smoking, and depression may be risk factors of IHD in post-menopausal women. These findings suggest that healthcare providers need to be concerned about these associated factors when evaluating the risk of IHD in post-menopausal women. Furthermore, when planning intervention programs, healthcare providers should consider smoking and depression as modifiable factors that need to be managed in the prevention of IHD in post-menopausal women.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean government, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (2017R1C1B1003762).

Notes

Conflicts of Interest

There were no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

References

1. Sim WJ. [Internet]. Changes in female cardiovascular system after menopause 2013. [cited 2015 Mar 30]. Available from: http://www.womensheart.or.kr/bbs/index.html?code=pds&category=&gubun=&page=2&number=23&mode=view&keyfield=&key=. [in Korean].
2. World Health Organization [Internet]. The top 10 causes of death Geneva (Switzerland): World Health Organization; 2018. [cited 2018 May 24]. Available from: http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death.
3. Statistics Korea. [Internet]. 2016 annual report on the cause of death statistics Daejeon (Korea): Statistics Korea; 2016. [cited 2018 Mar 22]. Available from: http://kosis.kr/upsHtml/online/downSrvcFile.do?PUBCODE=YD&FILE_NAME=/YD/09.xlsx&SEQ=107.
4. Innes KE, Selfe TK, Taylor AG. Menopause, the metabolic syndrome, and mind-body therapies. Menopause 2008;15(5):1005–13.
5. Ozbey N, Sencer E, Molvalilar S, et al. Body fat distribution and cardiovascular disease risk factors in pre- and postmenopausal obese women with similar BMI. Endocr J 2002;49(4):503–9.
6. Vaccarino V, Badimon L, Corti R, et al. Ischemic heart disease in women: Are there sex differences in pathophysiology and risk factors? Position paper from the working group on coronary pathophysiology and microcirculation of the European society of cardiology. Cardiovasc Res 2011;90(1):9–17.
7. Lin JW, Caffrey JL, Chang MH, et al. Sex, menopause, metabolic syndrome, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality-cohort analysis from the third national health and nutrition examination survey. J Clin Endocrinol Metabol 2010;95(9):4258–67.
8. Jee SH, Song JW, Cho HK, et al. Development of the individualized health risk appraisal model of ischemic heart disease risk in Korea. J Lipid Atheroscler 2004;14(2):153–68.
9. Wellons M, Ouyang P, Schreiner PJ, et al. Early menopause predicts future coronary heart disease and stroke: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Menopause 2012;19(10):1081–7.
10. Albus C. Psychological and social factors in coronary heart disease. Annals Med 2010;42(7):487–94.
11. Hoffman MA, Driscoll JM. Health promotion and disease prevention: A concentric biopsychosocial model of health status. In : Brown SD, Lent RW, eds. Handbook of counseling psychology Hoboken (NJ): John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2000. p. 532–67.
12. Choi JY, Choi SW. Comparison of the health behaviors according to income and education level among cardio-cerebrovascular patients; Based on KNHANES data of 2010–2011. J Korea Acad Industr Coop Soc 2014;15(10):6223–33.
13. Wassertheil-Smoller S, Shumaker S, Ockene J, et al. Depression and cardiovascular sequelae in postmenopausal women: The women’s health initiative (WHI). J Intern Med 2004;164(3):289–98.
14. Blumenthal JA, Sherwood A, Babyak MA, et al. Effects of exercise and stress management training on markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with ischemic heart disease: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2005;293(13):1626–34.
15. Nilsson PM, Nilsson JA, Berglund G. Population-attributable risk of coronary heart disease risk factors during long-term follow-up: The malmo preventive project. J Intern Med 2006;260(2):134–41.
16. Ou SW, Yoo TW, Huh BY, et al. Search for criterion of obesity through analysis of morbidity and mortality in Korean obesity. J Obes Metab Syndr 2002;11:304–11.
17. Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, et al. Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: An American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute scientific statement. Circulation 2005;112(17):2735–52.
18. Kim MK, Lee WY, Kang JH, et al. 2014 Clinical practice guidelines for overweight and obesity in Korea. Endocrinol Metabol 2014;29(4):405–9.
19. IPAQ Research Committee [Internet]. Guidelines for data processing and analysis of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - short and long forms November. 2005. [cited 2010 Nov 5]. Available from: http://www.ipaq.ki.se/scoring.pdf.
20. Ahn KA, Yun JE, Cho ER, et al. Framingham equation model overestimates risk of ischemic heart disease in Korean men and women. Korean J Epidemiol 2006;28(2):162–70.
21. Bachmann JM, Willis BL, Ayers CR, Khera A, Berry JD. Association between family history and coronary heart disease death across long-term follow-up in men: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study. Circulation 2012;125(25):3092–8.
22. Mottillo S, Filion KB, Genest J, et al. The metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2010;56(14):1113–32.
23. Shin HM, Jee SH, Kim JH, et al. The influence on cardiovascular mortality of the metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women. Korean Soc Menopause 2012;18(1):6–14.
24. International Diabetes Federation [Internet]. IDF Diabetes Atlas 3rd Editionth ed. 2006. Belgium: International Diabetes Federation; 2006. Available from: https://www.idf.org/e-library/epidemiology-research/diabetes-atlas/22-atlas-3rd-edition.html.
25. Kannel WB. Office assessment of coronary candidates and risk factor insights from the Framingham study. J Int Soc Hypertens 1991;9(7):S13–9.
26. Kim CK, McGorray SP, Bartholomew BA, et al. Depressive symptoms and heart rate variability in postmenopausal women. Arch Intern Med 2005;165(11):1239–44.
27. Song HR, Woo YS, Bahk WM. Depression as an inflammatory disease. Korean J Psychopharmacol 2013;24(1):5–10.
28. Bech P. Modern psychometrics in clinimetrics: Impact on clinical trials of antidepressants. Psychother Psychosom 2004;73(3):134–8.
29. Ko MJ, Han JT. The relative risk of major risk factors of ischemic heart disease. J Korean Data Info Science Soc 2010;21(2):201–9.
30. Ambrose JA, Barua RS. The pathophysiology of cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease: an update. J Am College Cardiol 2004;43(10):1731–7.

Article information Continued

Table 1

Biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors of participants (N = 3,636).

Variables Categories n* (%)
Biomedical factors Age (y) 40–64 2,032 (62.7)
≥ 65 1,604 (37.3)

Family history Yes 2,346 (65.8)
No 1,290 (34.2)

Body mass index Non-obesity 2,276 (60.6)
Overweight and obese 1,360 (39.4)

Metabolic syndrome With 1,802 (46.7)
without 1,834 (53.3)

Biosocial factors Socio economic status High 813 (25.7)
Middle 1,729 (47.8)
Low 1,094 (26.5)

Education level Less than graduation of elementary school 1,702 (41.2)
Graduation from middle school 636 (18.3)
Graduation from high school 872 (27.2)
More than graduation from college 426 (13.3)

Psychosocial factors Stress Severe 838 (24.0)
A little 2,011 (55.6)
Not at all 787 (20.4)

Depression Yes 344 (9.2)
No 3,292 (90.8)

Current or past smoking habits Yes 219 (6.5)
No 3,417 (93.5)

Binge alcohol consumption Yes 102 (3.1)
No 3,534 (96.9)

Physical activity Vigorous 307 (8.9)
Moderate 1,511 (43.3)
Light 1,818 (47.8)
*

Unweighted;

weighted.

Table 2

The difference in IHD development according to biomedical, biosocial, and psychosocial factors among post-menopausal women (N = 3,636).

Variables Categories Ischemic heart disease χ2 (p)

With n* (%) Without n* (%)
Biomedical factors Age (y) 40–64 43 (32.5) 1,989 (64.0) 2949.12 (< 0.001)
≥ 65 119 (67.5) 1,485 (36.0)

Family history Yes 127 (79.5) 2,219 (65.2) 12.84 (0.001)
No 35 (20.5) 1,255 (34.8)

Body mass index Non-obesity 39 (23.5) 1,321 (40.1) 16.49 (< 0.001)
Overweight and obese 123 (76.5) 2,153 (59.9)

Metabolic syndrome With 123 (73.6) 1,679 (45.6) 44.84 (< 0.001)
Without 39 (26.4) 1,795 (54.4)

Biosocial factors Socio economic status High 22 (17.1) 791 (26.1) 26.42 (< 0.001)
Middle 69 (38.2) 1,660 (48.1)
Low 71 (44.7) 1,023 (25.8)

Education level Less than graduation from elementary school 109 (64.8) 1,593 (40.2) 36.65 (< 0.001)
Graduation from middle school 19 (14.1) 617 (18.5)
Graduation from high school 21 (13.6) 851 (27.8)
More than graduation from college 13 (7.5) 413 (13.5)

Psychosocial factors Stress Severe 52 (34.7) 786 (23.6) 3,565.60 (< 0.001)
A little 74 (45.6) 1,937 (56.0)
Not at all 36 (19.7) 751 (20.4)

Depression Yes 34 (22.3) 310 (8.6) 31.85 (< 0.001)
No 128 (77.7) 3,164 (91.4)

Current or past smoking habits Yes 16 (12.3) 203 (6.3) 45,548.89 (< 0.001)
No 146 (87.7) 3,271 (93.7)

Binge alcohol consumption Yes 1 (1.2) 101 (3.2) 1.88 (0.306)
No 161 (98.8) 3,373 (96.8)

Physical activity Vigorous 13 (9.0) 294 (8.9) 9.08 (0.036)
Moderate 53 (31.6) 1,458 (43.7)
Light 96 (59.4) 1,722 (47.4)
*

Unweighted;

weighted.

Table 3

Associated factors with IHD among post-menopausal women (N = 3,636).

Variable Categories Ischemic heart disease
aOR 95% CI p
Biomedical factors Age (y) (Ref. 40–64) ≥ 65 2.99 1.87–4.80 < 0.001

Family history (Ref. No) Yes 2.29 1.44–3.65 0.001

Body mass index (Ref. Non-obesity) Overweight and obese 1.46 0.91–2.32 0.115

Metabolic syndrome (Ref. without) With 1.93 1.27–2.95 0.002

Biosocial factors Socio economic status (Ref. High) Middle 0.86 0.46–1.58 0.929
Low 0.97 0.52–1.83 0.616

Education level (Ref. More than graduation from college) Less than graduation from elementary school 1.38 0.66–2.86 0.392
Graduation from middle school 1.03 0.45–2.39 0.941
Graduation from high school 0.79 0.35–1.80 0.576

Psychosocial factors Stress (Ref. Not at all) Severe 1.60 0.97–2.64 0.066
A little 1.05 0.64–1.71 0.860

Depression (Ref. No) Yes 2.56 1.66–3.96 < 0.001

Current or past smoking habits (Ref. No) Yes 1.92 1.04–3.55 0.038

Physical activity (Ref. Vigorous) Low 0.86 0.41–1.80 0.679
Middle 0.64 0.31–1.45 0.308

aOR = adjusted odds ratio; CI = confidence interval; Ref. = reference.