Prevalence of Coronary Artery Diseases Among Adult Women Residents of Tehran: A Cross-Sectional Report From Tehran Cohort Study (TeCS).

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Among women, CAD is often underestimated, resulting in underdiagnosis and undertreatment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CAD and its risk factors in adult women, using data from the Tehran Cohort Study (TeCS).

METHODS

We analyzed data from 4478 women with complete CAD information collected during the TeCS recruitment phase. The age-weighted prevalence of CAD was estimated using the 2016 national census data and previous CAD diagnoses. Logistic regression models were applied to identify factors independently associated with CAD in women.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of CAD was 4.48% (mean age: 53.0 ± 12.37 years), with an age-weighted prevalence of 4.1% (95% CI: 3.1%-5.4%). Increasing age was strongly associated with CAD, with women aged ≥ 75 years showing markedly higher odds (OR: 11.94, 95% CI: 3.93-36.31, p < 0.001). Hypertension (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.75-3.80, p < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.55-3.24, p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.49-2.88, p < 0.001) were also significant determinants of CAD. Older age groups exhibited a higher prevalence of CAD risk factors. Within the CAD group, a greater proportion of women had multiple comorbid risk factors compared with their non-CAD counterparts in the same age categories.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CAD and its associated risk factors among women in Tehran is substantial. These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies to reduce CAD incidence in vulnerable female populations.