RESUMEN
This article aims to study the prevalence of coronary artery calcification and associated factors in a multiethnic population in Angola. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was carried out in a private clinic in Angola. For this purpose, information was collected from sociodemographic and biological data. The selected variables were; history of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking (current and past), alcohol consumption, family history of coronary disease, and coronary calcium score. Independent Mann-Whitney test, Student's t-test and chi-square test were used as appropriate. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 211 individuals: 156(73.9%) of black race, 37(17.4%) of mixed race and 18(8.4%) of Caucasian race. 126(59.7%) were male. The average age was 56.7 ± 9.3 years. Of the total sample, 158 (74.9%) had a history of hypertension, 50 (23.7%) of diabetes mellitus, and 138 (65.4%) of dyslipidemia. Of the total number of individuals, 21(10.0%) were smokers and 38(18.0%) were ex-smokers, 137 (64.9%) were social drinkers and 44(20.9%) were obese. A significant association was found between calcification of the coronary arteries and aging (p <.001), Caucasian race (p =.037), and a history of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and smoking (p <.001, p <.001, p =.012, respectively). Black race and female gender are associated with a lower risk of coronary artery calcification (p =.034 and p =.011, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present results support the notion that there are racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of coronary calcification.
RESUMEN
The present article describes the prevalence of coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) in patients undergoing coronary CT angiography at a private clinic in Luanda, Angola, and the clinical and angiotomographic characteristics of the two patients with CAAs. These anomalies are uncommon and constitute a significant challenge in resource-poor countries.
