The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and CV Risk Factors: The CRONICAS Cohort Study of Peruvian Adults

- The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and risk factors for cardiovascular disease depends on the indicator used.
- High SES groups, based on income level, had a higher prevalence of elevated waist circumference (WC) and obesity than did the low-income group.
- High SES groups, based on educational attainment, had higher prevalence of elevated triglycerides but lower prevalence of obesity than did low-education groups.
- High SES groups, based on assets index, had higher prevalence of elevated WC, elevated triglycerides, and insulin resistance.

BackgroundVariations in the distribution of cardiovascular disease and risk factors by socioeconomic status (SES) have been described in affluent societies, yet a better understanding of these patterns is needed for most low- and middle-income countries.ObjectiveThis study sought to describe the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and SES using monthly family income, educational attainment, and assets index, in 4 Peruvian sites.MethodsBaseline data from an age- and sex-stratified random sample of participants, ages ≥35 years, from 4 Peruvian sites (CRONICAS Cohort Study, 2010) were used. The SES indicators considered were monthly family income (n = 3,220), educational attainment (n = 3,598), and assets index (n = 3,601). Behavioral risk factors included current tobacco use, alcohol drinking, physical activity, daily intake of fruits and vegetables, and no control of salt intake. Cardiometabolic risk factors included obesity, elevated waist circumference, hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels.ResultsIn the overall population, 41.6% reported a monthly family income