Muhammet Geneş, İdris Yakut
Eurasian Journal of Medical Investigation - 2025;9(3):105-112
Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to assess the independent relationship between daily smartphone usage duration, a key indicator of modern sedentary life, and the anatomical severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), measured by the SYNTAX score, in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who lack traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, 187 NSTEMI patients were divided into two groups based on the median daily smartphone usage: 'Low Screen Time' (n=93) and 'High Screen Time' (n=94). Screen time was objectively measured using built-in smartphone applications. Coronary lesion complexity was quantified using the SYNTAX score following coronary angiography. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of CAD severity. Results: The High Screen Time group had significantly higher SYNTAX scores compared to the Low Screen Time group (26.2+/-4.1 vs. 17.52+/-5.2; p<0.001). This group also exhibited a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) , a more atherogenic lipid profile , and longer delays in hospital admission (3.8+/-1.4 hours vs. 2.4+/-1.1 hours; p<0.001) despite being significantly younger. In the regression analysis, high screen time was identified as the most powerful independent predictor of a higher SYNTAX score (beta=5.10, p<0.001). Conclusion: High daily smartphone screen time is a potent and independent predictor of the angiographic severity of CAD in young NSTEMI patients who do not have traditional risk factors. This contemporary lifestyle factor may serve as a novel digital biomarker, influencing risk through both sedentary behavior and delays in seeking medical care.
