OBJECTIVES

Patients with lung disease (LD) are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is associated with increased all-cause mortality risk. The aim of the study is to measure the changes in the prevalence of CVD, the associated risk factors, and the extent of use of CV drugs among the patients with CVD.

METHODS

The present study used US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005 to 2018, to provide population-based estimate for the prevalence of CVD. The CVD was defined as having a diagnosis of at least one of CHF/CHD/angina pectoris/heart attack. The patients with LD were identified with a diagnosis of at least one of asthma/COPD/emphysema/chronic bronchitis. The predictors of socio-economic condition, comorbidities and lifestyle habits were investigated using a multivariate survey logistic regression model.

RESULTS

7,335 patients, of mean age 48 years, with LD who responded to the CVD questionnaire were included in the analysis. The prevalence of CVD increased from 10.1% (2005) to 16.2% (2018), a growth of 60.2%. The most significant increase was seen among patients with income>=400% of federal poverty level (FPL) (4.5% to 10.4%; 131% growth) followed by obese patients (9.9% to 17.8%; 80% growth) over this period. The increase was also seen in adult patients, males, non-Hispanic whites and smokers. The use of CV drugs has increased from 84.2% to 92.2% (9% growth) over this period.

The likelihood of CVD was higher among those aged 60 years or older (OR=5.34,CI=4.41-6.45), diabetics (OR=3.26,CI=2.60-4.08), those with income<400% of FPL (OR=2.16,CI=1.53-3.05), current smokers (OR=1.88,CI=1.51-2.35), and in males (OR=1.50,CI=1.23-1.84).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CVD has significantly increased among patients with LD over the study period. The estimates provided in this study on CVD prevalence, risk factors and the drug utilizations may help cardiologists and other clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of CVD.