Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, and claimed an estimated 17.9 million lives in 2015 [1]. Age, gender, smoking, obesity, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) are established risk factors for CVD [2‐5]. Most studies on predictors of CVD, however, have been carried out in Europe and North America, and little is known about the relative contribution of these risk factors in the Middle East.

Whilst the incidence of CVD is declining in many parts of the world [6], several lifestyle factors render the Middle East vulnerable to CVD in the coming decades. First, the region is home to one of the most obese populations in the world. In Jordan, it is estimated that 65.9% of adults above 18 years are either overweight or obese [7]. Second, as a consequence of the obesity epidemic, DM is steadily increasing. In 2014, an estimated 13.7% of the adult population in the region had DM, compared to 5.9% in 1980 [8]. Third, tobacco use is more popular in the Middle East than elsewhere in the world, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 41.0% of Jordanians above the age of 15 years are smokers [9]. Finally, a sedentary lifestyle is widespread in the region, illustrated by a recent study from 10 Middle Eastern countries, where only 19% of adolescents reported taking part in any sort of physical activity [10].

The aim of the present study was to assess risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Middle Eastern population. Results from this study could eludicate the contribution of modifiable lifestyle factors to the burden of CAD, and hence pave the road for effective preventive measures relevant to the region.

Male gender, increasing age, DM and smoking were strong and significant predictors of CAD in this study. This is one of few studies from the region to assess risk factors for CAD in people undergoing coronary angiography, and hence, provides new insight into the relevance of traditional risk factors in a Middle Eastern setting.

Previously, only a few similar studies from countries in the region have been published. Al-Kateb and colleagues reported that body mass index, age and smoking were significantly associated with CAD in a cohort of 192 male patients referred for catheterization in (pre-war) Syria [11]. In a more recent study from Iraq, Mohammad and colleagues found that male gender, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and a family history of CAD were associated with premature CAD, i.e. in patients younger than 45 years for men and 55 years for women [12]. Taken together, our results and previous studies suggest that traditional risk factors for CAD are of importance also in a Middle Eastern setting.

In our study, most of the patients with CAD had one or more risk factors. Current or previous smoking was reported in 56.7% of the CAD patients, and was associated with twice the odds of CAD compared to non-smokers. The effect estimate of smoking on CAD in our setting was of similar magnitude to reports from elsewhere [12, 13]. In a country like Jordan, where more than 40% of the adult population are smokers, the public health benefits of effective smoking cessation programs would be substantial. Indeed, in a study from USA, it was found that reduced smoking prevalence led to a 12% reduction in deaths from coronary disease from 1980 to 2000 [6]. Other benefits of smoking cessation, such as decreased prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, would come in addition to this.

The other modifiable risk factor identified in our study was DM. Obesity has been steadily increasing in Middle Eastern countries, and has led to an epidemic of type 2 DM in the region. Indeed, the 13.7% prevalence of DM in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region is far above the global average of 8.5% [8]. In our study, individuals with DM had a 2.6 times increased odds of CAD, which is in line with studies from other parts of the world [14]. On the other side of the coin, improved glycaemic control and changes in lifestyle has been shown to effectively reduce long-term complications and improve prognosis in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or DM [15, 16]. Healthcare interventions to control the diabetes epidemic in the region, including early detection and management of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, should be a top priority in the coming years. Furthermore, structural interventions to promote physical activity and a healthy diet, might have an even larger health effect on the population level. Indeed, a recent study from Mexico found that introduction of tax on sugar sweetened beverages led to a significant reduction in intake of taxed beverages followed by an increase in purchases of bottled plain water, showing that unhealthy habits can be modified by policy interventions [17].

Surprisingly, our study did not show any significant effect on CAD of previous hypertension, previous hyperlipidemia or a family history of CVD. It is possible that these conditions were underreported in our study; for example did only 5.7% of study participants report previous hyperlipidemia, which means that many might have been undiagnosed and misclassified. Moreover, our study might have been underpowered to detect more subtle increases in the odds of CAD. Hence, it is not possible to exclude the significance of these risk factors based on our study.

Our study had certain limitation. First, this was a hospital based study and the patients might not be representative of the general population. Second, as in any cross-sectional study, it is hard to make any firm conclusions about causality. However, the risk factors identified in our study were well in line with studies from elsewhere, and we believe the results are valid. Finally, there was a risk of misclassification bias, since information about risk factors was based on patient interviews. However, since misclassification bias is in direction of the null value [18], the positive findings from our study would rather be an underestimate of the true effect.

In conclusion, age, gender, DM and smoking were strong and significant risk factors for CAD among Jordanian patients who underwent coronary angiography. Given the high prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and smoking in the region, CAD is likely to continue to increase over the coming years. Public health interventions to reduce the prevalence of DM and smoking could have a huge public health impact in the region.