Precursors of atherosclerosis in a random sample from a Hellenic population: the Athens Study

Atheromatosis, the principal lesion in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, is associated with increased levels of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking and other variables. As these lesions are thought to appear first in childhood, this study was designed to assess the levels of these atherosclerotic precursors in children living in Athens, Greece.

The following parameters were measured in a random sample of 4117 school children aged 6-18 years, living in the centre of Athens: body mass index, blood pressure, serum lipids, glucose, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, and haematocrit.

Mean levels of blood pressure, total cholesterol, cigarette smoking and body mass index increased with age in both sexes, levels being similar to those of children in developed countries. Smoking started at elementary school, and by puberty had reached adult levels. High levels of systolic blood pressure ( > or = 130 mmHg) and total cholesterol ( > or = 5.68 mmol/l) were seen in 22% and 13% of children respectively. Triglyceride and glucose levels did not increase with age; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased and uric acid increased from 14 to 18 years, but only in boys. Levels of body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and uric acid above the mean population values were found in 25% of children, and glucose levels above the mean in 50%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between systolic blood pressure and age, body mass index, uric acid, sex, glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (in that order), and between diastolic blood pressure and age, body mass index and triglycerides.

These findings indicate that the levels and prevalence of precursors of atherosclerosis are higher than expected in a southern European population, and are similar to those found in developed countries. This would indicate a need for greater awareness among the Greek population of preventive measures against developing cardiovascular disease.