Epidemiology of coronary artery disease among Hansen's patients.

The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and its risk factors were studied in 475 Hansen's patients (HP's) by a special questionnaire, physical examination, electrocardiogram at rest and after exercise, and biochemical and hematologic investigations. It was found that the prevalence of CHD (Minnesota codes 1-1 to 1-3 and 4-1) was 10.92%, which is higher than that found in epidemiologic studies of nonHansen's populations. The only CHD risk factors detected were age, obesity, and hypertension. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of CHD between HP's living confined in the institution and those living in their homes. Factors enhancing the development of CHD in this group may include hypertension and obesity as well as psychological factors, which particularly common in these patients, and of course old age.