Major cardiovascular risk factors in Latin America: a comparison with the United States. The Latin American Consortium of Studies in Obesity (LASO).

BACKGROUND: Limited knowledge on the prevalence and distribution of risk factors impairs the planning and implementation of cardiovascular prevention programs in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, abnormal lipoprotein levels, obesity, and smoking were estimated from individual-level patient data pooled from population-based surveys (1998-2007, n=31,009) from eight LAC countries and from a national survey of the United States (US) population (1999-2004) Age and gender specific prevalence were estimated and age-gender adjusted comparisons between both populations were conducted. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in LAC were 5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.4, 7.9), 20.2% (95% CI: 12.5, 31), and 53.3% (95% CI: 47, 63.4), respectively. Compared to LAC region's average, the prevalence of each risk factor tended to be lower in Peru and higher in Chile. LAC women had higher prevalence of obesity and low HDL-cholesterol than men. Obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were more prevalent in the US population than in LAC population (31 vs. 16.1%, 16.8 vs. 8.9%, and 36.2 vs. 26.5%, respectively). However, the prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol was higher in LAC than in the US (53.3 vs. 33.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Major cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in LAC region, in particular low HDL-cholesterol. In addition, marked differences do exist in this prevalence profile between LAC and the US. The observed patterns of obesity-related risk factors and their current and future impact on the burden of cardiovascular diseases remain to be explained.

Analysis of population genetic structure from Bucaramanga (Colombia) based on gene polymorphisms associated with regulation of blood pressure / Análisis de la estructura genética poblacional a partir de polimorfismos de genes asociados con la regulación de la presión arterial en una muestra de Bucaramanga, Colombia

Introduction: In spite nearly 40% of the variability in blood pressure can be explained by genetic factors, the identification of genes associated to essential high blood pressure is difficult in populations where individuals have different genetic precedents; in these circumstances it is necessary to determinate whether the population is sub-structured because this can bias studies associated with this disease.Objectives: To determine the genetic structure of the population in Bucaramanga from genetic polymorphisms associated with the regulation of blood pressure: 448G>T, 679C>T y 1711C>T from the gene kinase 4 of the dopaminergic receptor linked to the protein G and Glu298Asp, -786T>C and the VNTR of the intron 4 of the gene of endothelial nitric oxide.Methodology: A sample of 552 unrelated individuals was studied through analysis of Restriction fragment length polymorphism. The allelic, haplotypic and genotypic frequencies were calculated, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was determined and a molecular analysis of variance was performed to determine the genetic structure.Results: 38 Haplotypes were identified, with GCCTG4b as the most frequent (21.2%). The most diverse polymorphism was 448G>T with a frequency of 49.9% for heterozygous. The six polymorphisms were found in genetic equilibrium and genetic structure of populations was not evidenced (FST = 0,0038).Conclusion: The population studied does not present a genetic sub-structure and the polymorphisms analyzed were found in genetic equilibrium, this indicates that the population mixes randomly and there are no sub-groups capable of affecting the results of the association studies

Analysis of population genetic structure from Bucaramanga (Colombia) based on gene polymorphisms associated with the regulation of blood pressure.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of nearly 40% of variability in blood pressure being explained by genetic factors, the identification of genes associated with essential high blood pressure is difficult to determine in populations where individuals have different genetic backgrounds. In these circumstances it is necessary to determinate whether the population is sub-structured because this can bias studies associated with this disease. OBJECTIVE: TO DETERMINE THE GENETIC STRUCTURE OF THE POPULATION IN BUCARAMANGA FROM GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REGULATION OF BLOOD PRESSURE: 448G>T, 679C>T y 1711C>T from the gene kinase 4 of the dopaminergic receptor linked to the protein G and Glu298Asp, -786T>C and the VNTR of the intron 4 of the gene of endothelial nitric oxide. METHODS: A sample of 552 unrelated individuals was studied through analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism. The allelic, haplotypic and genotypic frequencies were calculated, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was determined and a molecular analysis of variance was performed to determine the genetic structure. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (38) Haplotypes were identified with GCCTG4b being the most frequent (21.2%). The most diverse polymorphism was 448G>T with a frequency of 49.9% for heterozygous. The six polymorphisms were found in genetic equilibrium and a genetic structure of populations was not evidenced (FST= 0.0038). CONCLUSION: The population studied does not present a genetic sub-structure and the polymorphisms analyzed were found in genetic equilibrium. This indicates that the population mixes randomly and there are no sub-groups capable of affecting the results of the association studies.

INTRODUCCIÓN: A pesar que cerca del 40% de la variabilidad en la presión arterial es explicada por factores genéticos, la identificación de genes asociados a la hipertensión arterial esencial es difícil en poblaciones constituidas por individuos con antecedentes genéticos diferentes; en esta circunstancia se debe determinar si la población está sub-estructurada porque esto puede sesgar los estudios de asociación con esta enfermedad. OBJETIVO: Determinar la estructura genética de la población de Bucaramanga a partir de polimorfismos genéticos asociados con la regulación de la presión arterial: 448G>T, 679C>T y 1711C>T del gen de la quinasa 4 del receptor dopaminérgico acoplado a proteína G y Glu298Asp, -786T>C y el VNTR del intrón 4 del gen de la sintasa de óxido nítrico endotelial. MÉTODOS: Se estudió una muestra de 552 individuos no relacionados mediante análisis de polimorfismos de longitud de fragmentos de restricción. Se calcularon las frecuencias alélicas, haplotípicas y genotípicas, se determinó el equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg y se realizó un análisis molecular de varianza para determinar la estructura genética. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 38 haplotipos siendo GCCTG4b el más frecuente (21.2%). El polimorfismo más diverso fue el 448G>T con una frecuencia de heterocigotos del 49.9%. Los seis polimorfismos se encontraron en equilibrio genético y no se evidenció estructura genética poblacional (FST = 0.0038). CONCLUSIÓN: La población estudiada no presenta subestructura genética y los polimorfismos analizados se encontraron en equilibrio genético, lo que indica que la población se mezcla aleatoriamente y no existen subgrupos que puedan afectar los resultados de estudios de asociación.

Precisão do aparelho Omron HEM-705 CP na medida de pressão arterial em grandes estudos epidemiológicos / Accuracy of the Omron HEM-705 CP for blood pressure measurement in large epidemiologic studies / Precisión del aparato Omron HEM-705 CP en la medida de presión arterial en grandes estudios epidemiológicos

FUNDAMENTO: A medida precisa da pressão arterial (PA) é de grande importância na pesquisa da hipertensão. No contexto de estudos clínicos e epidemiológicos, dispositivos oscilométricos frequentemente oferecem importantes vantagens para superar algumas das limitações do método auscultatório. Embora sua acurácia tenha sido avaliada em estudos múltiplos no ambiente clínico, há pouca evidência de seu desempenho em grandes estudos epidemiológicos. OBJETIVO: Avaliamos a precisão do Omron HEM-705-CP, um dispositivo automático para medida de PA, quando comparado com o método padrão auscultatório com esfigmomanômetro de mercúrio em um grande estudo de coorte. MÉTODOS: Três medidas auscultatórias foram obtidas, seguidas por duas mensurações com o dispositivo Omron em 1.084 indivíduos. O viés foi estimado como a média de duas medidas pelo dispositivo Omron menos a média das duas últimas medidas auscultatórias, com seus correspondentes limites de concordância (LC) de 95 por cento. RESULTADOS: O dispositivo Omron superestimou a pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) por 1,8 mmHg (LC:-10,1, 13,7) e subestimou a pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) por 1,6 mmHg (LC:-12,3, 9,2). O viés foi significantemente maior em homens. O viés na PAS aumentou com a idade e diminuiu com o nível da PA, enquanto o viés na PAD diminuiu com a idade e aumentou com o nível da PA. A sensibilidade e a especificidade do dispositivo Omron para detectar hipertensão foram 88,2 por cento e 98,6 por cento, respectivamente. O uso das medidas do dispositivo Omron resultou em viés mínimo na estimativa dos efeitos de vários fatores. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados demonstraram que o dispositivo Omron HEM-705-CP pode ser utilizado para medir a PA em grandes estudos epidemiológicos sem comprometer a validade do estudo ou sua precisão.

BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of blood pressure is of utmost importance in hypertension research. In the context of epidemiologic and clinical studies, oscillometric devices offer important advantages to overcome some of the limitations of the auscultatory method. Even though their accuracy has been evaluated in multiple studies in the clinical setting, there is little evidence of their performance in large epidemiologic studies. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the accuracy of the Omron HEM-705-CP, an automatic device for blood pressure (BP) measurement, as compared to the standard auscultatory method with a mercury sphygmomanometer in a large cohort study. METHODS: We made three auscultatory measurements, followed by two measurements with the Omron device in 1,084 subjects. Bias was estimated as the average of the two Omron minus the average of the last two auscultatory measurements, with its corresponding 95 percent limits of agreement (LA). RESULTS: The Omron overestimated systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 1.8 mmHg (LA:-10.1, 13.7) and underestimated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 1.6 mmHg (LA:-12.3, 9.2). Bias was significantly larger in men. Bias in SBP increased with age and decreased with BP level, while bias in DBP decreased with age and increased with BP level. The sensitivity and specificity of the Omron to detect hypertension were 88.2 percent and 98.6 percent, respectively. Minimum bias in the estimates of the effects of several factors resulted from the use of Omron measurements. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the Omron HEM-705-CP could be used for measuring BP in large epidemiology studies without compromising study validity or precision.

FUNDAMENTO: La medida precisa de la presión arterial (PA) es de gran importancia en la investigación de la hipertensión. En el contexto de estudios clínicos y epidemiológicos, dispositivos oscilométricos frecuentemente ofrecen importantes ventajas para superar algunas de las limitaciones del método auscultatorio. Aunque su precisión haya sido evaluada en estudios múltiples en el ambiente clínico, hay poca evidencia de su desempeño en grandes estudios epidemiológicos. OBJETIVO: Evaluamos la precisión del Omron HEM-705-CP, un dispositivo automático para medida de PA, cuando fue comparado con el método estándar auscultatorio con esfigmomanómetro de mercurio, en un gran estudio de cohorte. MÉTODOS: Tres medidas auscultatorias fueron obtenidas, seguidas por dos mediciones con el dispositivo Omron en 1.084 individuos. El sesgo fue estimado como la media de dos medidas por el dispositivo Omron menos la media de las dos últimas medidas auscultatorias, con sus correspondientes límites de concordancia (LC) de 95 por ciento. RESULTADOS: El dispositivo Omron superestimó la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) por 1,8 mmHg (LC:-10,1, 13,7) y subestimó la presión arterial diastólica (PAD) por 1,6 mmHg (LC:-12,3, 9,2). El sesgo fue significantemente mayor en hombres. El sesgo en la PAS aumentó con la edad y disminuyó con el nivel de la PA, mientras que el sesgo en la PAD disminuyó con la edad y aumentó con el nivel de la PA. La sensibilidad y la especificidad del dispositivo Omron para detectar hipertensión fueron 88,2 por ciento y 98,6 por ciento, respectivamente. El uso de las medidas del dispositivo Omron resultó en sesgo mínimo en los estimados de los efectos de varios factores. CONCLUSIÓN: Nuestros resultados demostraron que el dispositivo Omron HEM-705-CP puede ser utilizado para medir la PA en grandes estudios epidemiológicos sin comprometer la validez del estudio o su precisión. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2011;96(5):393-398).

Accuracy of the Omron HEM-705 CP for blood pressure measurement in large epidemiologic studies.

BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of blood pressure is of utmost importance in hypertension research. In the context of epidemiologic and clinical studies, oscillometric devices offer important advantages to overcome some of the limitations of the auscultatory method. Even though their accuracy has been evaluated in multiple studies in the clinical setting, there is little evidence of their performance in large epidemiologic studies. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the accuracy of the Omron HEM-705-CP, an automatic device for blood pressure (BP) measurement, as compared to the standard auscultatory method with a mercury sphygmomanometer in a large cohort study. METHODS: We made three auscultatory measurements, followed by two measurements with the Omron device in 1,084 subjects. Bias was estimated as the average of the two Omron minus the average of the last two auscultatory measurements, with its corresponding 95% limits of agreement (LA). RESULTS: The Omron overestimated systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 1.8 mmHg (LA:-10.1, 13.7) and underestimated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 1.6 mmHg (LA:-12.3, 9.2). Bias was significantly larger in men. Bias in SBP increased with age and decreased with BP level, while bias in DBP decreased with age and increased with BP level. The sensitivity and specificity of the Omron to detect hypertension were 88.2% and 98.6%, respectively. Minimum bias in the estimates of the effects of several factors resulted from the use of Omron measurements. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the Omron HEM-705-CP could be used for measuring BP in large epidemiology studies without compromising study validity or precision.

Population-based case-control study of renin-angiotensin system genes polymorphisms and hypertension among Hispanics.

The effect of polymorphisms of the RAS genes on the incidence of hypertension seems to be population-dependent. We studied the effects of the angiotensinogen T174M and M235T, angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D), and angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1R) A1166C gene polymorphisms on the risk of hypertension among Hispanics. We selected all cases (n=256) and 257 age and sex group-matched controls from a random sample of free living Colombians (n=2,989). Logistic regression was used to estimate the independent effect of each polymorphism. All polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in controls, with the exception of M235T, which showed a small excess of heterozygotes (p=0.005; disequilibrium coefficient, D=-0.0264). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, race, physical activity, family history of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and other polymorphisms, subjects with the ACE DD genotype were 1.56 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 2.33) more likely to be hypertensive than carriers of the I allele (p=0.03). Also, adjusted systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 4.58 (95% CI: -0.39, 9.56) and 3.32 (95% CI: 0.78, 5.86) mmHg higher in DD homozygous individuals than in carriers of the I allele, respectively. Approximately 15% of the cases of hypertension in this population could be attributed to carriage of the DD genotype. None of the other polymorphisms was associated with either hypertension or blood pressure level. In conclusion, the ACE DD genotype appears to be an independent risk factor for development of hypertension and may explain a significant fraction of incident cases among Hispanics.

Prevalence and impact of cardiovascular risk factors in Bucaramanga, Colombia: results from the Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Disease Intervention Programme (CINDI/CARMEN) baseline survey.

BACKGROUND: Although cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the region, there are few data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Latin American. We studied the distribution and impact of cardiovascular risk factors in Bucaramanga, Colombia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a random sample of 2989 subjects 15-64 years old. Population attributable risks were estimated from Framingham risk scores. RESULTS: Smoking prevalence was 16.2% (men 26.3%; women 10.5%). Hypertension prevalence was 9.9% in women and 8.8% in men, but reached 50% in those 60-64 years old. After adjustment for body mass index, men were more likely to be hypertensive, but only if under 40 years old. Obesity was more frequent in women (15.7%) than in men (8.7%), even after age-adjustment. About 46% of the participants were overweight or obese. Women also had higher prevalence of high total cholesterol (19.7 versus 15.7%) and high low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (23.9 versus 19.5%), but lower prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (22.2 versus 37.6%). Only low-HDL prevalence was significantly different after body mass index and age-adjustment. The prevalence of diabetes was similar in men and women (4%), but age and body mass index-adjusted impaired fasting glucose prevalence was 60% higher in women. Population attributable risks were larger and similar for high total cholesterol, hypertension, and large waist-to-hip ratio (19%). CONCLUSIONS: Women had higher prevalence of all risk factors with the exception of smoking and low-HDL. Reduction in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and obesity is a priority to control the ongoing epidemic of cardiovascular diseases in this population.

Atención dental asociada con un brote de infección por VIH en pacientes en diálisis / Dental care associated with an outbreak of HIV infection among dialysis patients

En mayo de 1993 se descubrió fortuitamente un brote de 14 casos de infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis en un hospital universitario de Bucaramanga, Colombia. El brote tuvo lugar en 1992. Se usaron sueros almacenados para determinar el período de infección probable (PIP) de 10 de los 14 casos y se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos y controles anidado a fin de evaluar los posibles mecanismos de transmisión. La atención de salud recibida por cada paciente positivo a VIH durante su PIP se comparó con la atención recibida por controles apareados con los casos en tiempo. Solamente los procedimientos odontológicos invasores mostraron una asociación significativa con el riesgo de infección. Los pacientes sometidos a procedimientos dentales invasores durante su PIP tuvieron un riesgo promedio de infección 8,15 veces mayor que los controles de características similares (P=0,006) y de nueve casos de infección por VIH con PIP conocidos en 1992, siete habían sido sometidos a un procedimiento dental invasor 1 a 6 meses antes de la seroconversión. No se detectó infección en ninguno de los miembros del personal de salud dental. A juzgar por las pruebas disponibles, lo más probable es que la infección haya sido transmitida de un paciente a otro por instrumentos dentales contaminados

Atención dental asociada con un brote de infección por VIH en pacientes en diálisis / Dental care associated with an outbreak of HIV infection among dialysis patients

En mayo de 1993 se descubrió fortuitamente un brote de 14 casos de infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis en un hospital universitario de Bucaramanga, Colombia. El brote tuvo lugar en 1992. Se usaron sueros almacenados para determinar el período de infección probable (PIP) de 10 de los 14 casos y se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos y controles anidado a fin de evaluar los posibles mecanismos de transmisión. La atención de salud recibida por cada paciente positivo a VIH durante su PIP se comparó con la atención recibida por controles apareados con los casos en tiempo. Solamente los procedimientos odontológicos invasores mostraron una asociación significativa con el riesgo de infección. Los pacientes sometidos a procedimientos dentales invasores durante su PIP tuvieron un riesgo promedio de infección 8,15 veces mayor que los controles de características similares (P=0,006) y de nueve casos de infección por VIH con PIP conocidos en 1992, siete habían sido sometidos a un procedimiento dental invasor 1 a 6 meses antes de la seroconversión. No se detectó infección en ninguno de los miembros del personal de salud dental. A juzgar por las pruebas disponibles, lo más probable es que la infección haya sido transmitida de un paciente a otro por instrumentos dentales contaminados

Dental care associated with an outbreak of HIV infection among dialysis patients / Atención dental asociada con un brote de infección por VIH en pacientes sometidos a diálisis

En mayo de 1993 se descubrió fortuitamente un brote de 14 casos de infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis en un hospital universitario de Bucaramanga, Colombia. El brote tuvo lugar en 1992. Se usaron sueros almacenados para determinar el período de infección probable (PI) de 10 de los 14 casos y se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos y controles anidado a fin de evaluar los posibles mecanismos de transmisión. La atención de salud recibida por cada paciente positivo a VIH durante su PIP se comparó con la atención recibida por controles apareados con los casos en tiempo. Solamente los procedimientos odontológicos invasores mostraron una asociación significativa con el riesgo de infección. Los pacientes sometidos a procedimientos dentales invasores durante su PIP tuvieron un riesgo promedio de infección 8,15 veces mayor que los controles de características similares (P = 0,006), y de nueve casos de infección por VIH con un PIP conocido en 1992, siete habían sido sometidos a un procedimiento dental invasor de 1 a 6 meses antes de la seroconversión. No se detectó infección en ninguno de los miembros del personal de salud dental. A juzgar por las pruebas disponibles, es más probable que la infección haya sido transmitida de un paciente a otro por instrumentos dentales contaminados.

An outbreak of 14 cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was discovered by chance in May 1993 among hemodialysis patients at a university hospital in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The outbreak occurred in 1992. Stored sera were used to establish the probable period of infection (PPI) for 10 of the 14 cases. A nested case-control study was carried out to evaluate possible transmission mechanisms. The health care experience of each HIV-positive patient during that patient's PPI was compared to the experience of time-matched controls. Only invasive dental procedures were significantly associated with the risk of infection. Patients upon whom invasive dental procedures were performed during their PPIs had an average risk of HIV infection 8.15 times greater than comparable controls (P = 0.006), and seven out of nine cases of HIV infection with known PPIs in 1992 had an invasive dental procedure performed one to six months before seroconversion. None of the dental care personnel were found to be infected. Based on the available evidence, it seems most likely that the infection was transmitted from patient to patient by contaminated dental instruments.