56 Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition Sciences, 2020, 10, 56-67
ISSN: 2223-3806 / E-ISSN: 1927-5951/20 © 2020 SET Publisher
Role of Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications in the Secondary
Prevention of Biomarkers of Plaque recurrence in Omani Coronary
Revascularized Patients
Amanat Ali
1,2,*
, Noura S.M. Al-Alawi
2
, Muhammad Athar Sadiq
3
and Mostafa I. Waly
2
1
School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Albert A. Thornbrough Building, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph,
Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
2
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos
University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman
3
Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos
University, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman
Abstract: Objective: To assess the role of various dietary and lifestyle modifications in the secondary prevention of
biomarkers of plaque recurrence in Omani coronary revascularized patients.
Methods: Seventy-two patients, from the outpatient cardiology clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, were included
in the study after obtaining an informed consent. In a questionnaire-based study, we collected data about four lifestyle
modifications; physical activity, weight reduction, dietary intake and healthy eating patterns and smoking or non-smoking
status, in personal interviews. A modified previously validated study questionnaire, which comprised of a semi-
quantitative food frequency questionnaire, was used to assess the demographic information, eating patterns, diet quality
index score, and daily dietary intake of study participants. The data about patient’s baseline characteristics,
revascularization information and biochemical laboratory tests was harvested from the SQUH’s electronic record system.
The statistical analysis of data was made using R-studio v.7 and Microsoft excel v.7.
Results: The males had higher educational level as compared to females and were more active than females. The data
indicated that 16% males and females were diabetic, 10% males and 21% females were hypertensive, and 30% males
and 42% females had both diabetes and hypertension. Forty eight percent males and 63% females had body mass
index (BMI) >30. However, no significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in the BMI, diabetes and hypertension
status in males and females. Both genders had poor nutritional knowledge. Although the LDL-C and HDL-C values in
males and females differed, they were within the normal therapeutic limits. The HbA1c and C-reactive protein values
were above the normal ranges with no significant (P < 0.05) difference in both males and females. The average daily
energy intake in males (2694 kcalories) was significantly higher compared to females (1603 kcalories). The proportionate
contribution of energy from macronutrients was within the acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges. Omani diet score
for males (75.5) and females (74.6) didn’t differ significantly (P < 0.05), indicating their adherence to healthy dietary
patterns.
Conclusions: The results suggest that dietary and lifestyle modifications play significant role in the secondary prevention
of biomarkers of plaque recurrence in Omani coronary revascularized patients. Behavioral counseling to promote healthy
modifications in dietary and lifestyle factors are therefore recommended in the secondary prevention of risk of plaque
recurrence.
Keywords: Dietary and lifestyle modifications, Secondary prevention, Plaque recurrence, Omani coronary
revascularized patients.
INTRODUCTION
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading
cause of global mortality and morbidity and represent
31% of all global death [1, 2]. In the Middle East
countries, the CVDs-associated mortality rate is higher
than the world [3]. The hospital deaths due to coronary
heart diseases (CHD) in Oman have gone up in the
past years, which has been associated with the poor
knowledge about the risk factors of CHDs [4]. It has
*Address correspondence to this author at the School of Engineering,
University of Guelph, Albert A. Thornbrough Building, 50 Stone Road East,
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada; Tel: +1-519-824-4120 Ext: 53499;
Fax: +1-519-836-0227; E-mail: amanat@uoguelph.ca, amanata@gmail.com
been shown that the Middle Eastern patients, with
acute coronary syndrome (ACS) had heart attacks at
relatively younger age as compared to patients in
Western countries [5, 6]. There are numerous
biomarkers for the diagnostic, prognostic and prediction
of CVDs [7]. The main inflammatory biomarkers, which
predict the severity and prognosis of heart failure are
high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cytokines,
tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukins (IL-1,
IL-6 etc.), adiponectin and N-terminal probrain
natriuretic peptide [8]. It has been reported that overall
aggregate incidence of CVDs in tye-2 diabetic Omani
patients is 9.4% [9], whereas 54.1% had diabetes at
the time of coronary artery bypass surgery [10].