Abstract:
: ECG changes and their correlates have not been
previously studied among Sri Lankan adults. We aimed to analyse ischaemic
changes and LVH and to determine the association between glucose tolerance
status, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Methods: A nationally
representative sample of 4456 adults was recruited by a multi-stage stratified
random cluster sampling method. Data from a structured interview, medical
examination and investigations including OGTT, FBS and 12-lead ECG were
available and were analysed using SPSS. ECGs were coded according to the
Minnesota code by a cardiologist. Results: ECGs were taken from 4456
individuals. Ischaemic changes were seen in 9.6% of the total population and were
significantly higher (p<0.001) among people with prediabetes (12.4%), diabetes
(14.1%), central obesity (11.5%), hypertension (13.2%) and metabolic syndrome
(12.43%) compared to others (p< 0.05 for all correlates). Atrial fibrillation was
seen in 0.1% of individuals while Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) was seen
among 0.5% and LVH among 4.3% of the study population. Having diabetes did
not significantly increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation, ventricular ectopics or
LBBB (p=ns). Ischaemic changes were more prevalent among the physically
inactive compared to the moderately active and sufficiently active (p<0.05).
Changes suggestive of LVH was significantly higher (p<0.05) among people with
hypertension, central obesity and metabolic syndrome but not among people with
diabetes. Conclusions: Prediabetes, diabetes, central obesity and metabolic
syndrome increased the risk of having ischaemic changes in ECG. Hypertension,
metabolic syndrome and central obesity were significantly associated with LVH
