[Trends in the risk factor profile between 1976 and 1988]

In a comparative study of a total of 5740 unselected patients of both sexes, that had been admitted as inpatients for rehabilitation reasons concerning rheumatic diseases, it has been examined which differences result between 1976 and 1988 with respect to the prevalence of one or more of the following 5 diseases: diseases of the liver, arterial hypertension, disturbances of the lipid, uric acid or carbohydrate metabolism. Underlying were the same conditions and valuation standards. 2155 consecutively hospitalized patients in 1976 of a medium age of 53.75 +/- 10.89 years (standard deviation) were compared to 3585 patients with a medium age of 55.25 +/- 10.74 years in 1988. Age structure, professions and social levels were comparable in both populations. Whereas 1976 41.1% of the males and 27.9% of the females had one or more of the 5 diseases, this applied for 71.0% of the males and 59.5% of the females in 1988. Between 1976 and 1988 diseases of the liver, arterial hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia and impairment of carbohydrate metabolism increased highly significant by 66%, 73%, 128% and 41%, respectively. Also hyperuricemia was found more frequently in 1988 among males than 1976 (17.9% vs. 14.2%), whereas among females the prevalence lowered significantly from 8.5% to 4.5% during this period. At the same time the prevalence of overweight of more than 20% of the ideal weight increased from 56.6% of the patients suffering from one or more of the 5 diseases in 1976 to 63.9% in 1988 significantly. Of a total of 3585 patients that was investigated in 1988 2395 patients (66.8%) had one or more of the additional diseases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)