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Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Catalonia (Spain)
P Plans1, H Pardell, L Salleras
1General Direction of Public Health, Department of Health, Autonomous Government of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease risk factors like hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes are more prevalent in hypertensive individuals in Catalonia. Smoking was less common in this group, highlighting complex associations between these health issues.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant public health challenge in developed nations.
- Understanding the prevalence and interrelations of CVD risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of key cardiovascular disease risk factors in the adult population of Catalonia, Spain.
- To analyze the associations between various risk factors, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and smoking.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 704 adults in Catalonia was surveyed.
- Data collected included prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, low HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, diabetes, and smoking.
- Statistical analyses, including correlation and multiple regression, were employed to examine risk factor associations.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates: hypertriglyceridemia (2%), coronary heart disease history (3%), diabetes history (4%), low HDL-cholesterol (6%), obesity (12%), hypertension (20%), hypercholesterolemia (24%), and smoking (36%).
- Hypertension management: 58% detected, 46% treated, 21% controlled.
- Independent correlations found between risk factors; hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes were more prevalent in hypertensives, while smoking was less prevalent.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Catalonia is comparable to other Mediterranean communities.
- Significant independent associations exist between cardiovascular risk factors, with hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes showing increased prevalence in hypertensive individuals.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is one of the most important public health problems in developed countries. We have studied the epidemiology of the following cardiovascular disease risk factors in a random sample (n = 704) of the adult population of Catalonia (Spain): hypercholesterolemia (> or = 6.1) mmol/l or 240 mg/dl), hypertension (SBP > or = 160 and/or DBP > or = 95 mmHg), low HDL-cholesterol concentrations (< 0.9 mmol/l or 35 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia (> 2.8 mmol/l or 250 mg/dl), obesity (BMI > 30), smoking and history of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Two percent of participants had hypertriglyceridemia, 3% had a history of coronary heart disease, 4% a history of diabetes, 6% low HDL-cholesterol concentrations, 12% were obese, 20% had hypertension, 24% had hypercholesterolemia and 36% were smokers. 58% of hypertensive individuals had been previously detected, 46% were currently on treatment, and 21% had their blood pressure controlled (SBP < 160 and DBP < 95 mmHg). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the association between cardiovascular risk factors. Multiple linear regression analysis showed independent correlations between risk factors. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes was higher and prevalence of smoking was lower in hypertensives than normotensives. The odds ratio was 3.68 (95% CI = 2.07-6.54) for hypercholesterolemia, 3.26 (95% CI = 1.52-7.02) for obesity, 3.81 (95% CI = 1.09-7.02) for diabetes and 0.40 (95% CI = 0.22-0.70) for smoking. The adjusted odds ratio was statistically significant for hypercholesterolemia (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.01-3.75). The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was similar to that observed in other Mediterranean communities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)