Framingham risk score for prediction of cardiovascular diseases: a population-based study from southern Europe.

BACKGROUND: The question about what risk function should be used in primary prevention remains unanswered. The Framingham Study proposed a new algorithm based on three key ideas: use of the four risk factors with the most weight (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking), prediction of overall cardiovascular diseases and incorporating the concept of vascular age. The objective of this study was to apply this new function in a cohort of the general non Anglo-Saxon population, with a 10-year follow-up to determine its validity. METHODS: The cohort was studied in 1992-94 and again in 2004-06. The sample comprised 959 randomly-selected persons, aged 30-74 years, who were representative of the population of Albacete, Spain. At the first examination cycle, needed data for the new function were collected and at the second examination, data on all events were recorded during the follow-up period. Discrimination was studied with ROC curves. Comparisons of prediction models and reality in tertiles (Hosmer-Lemeshow) were performed, and the individual survival functions were calculated. RESULTS: The mean risks for women and men, respectively, were 11.3% and 19.7% and the areas under the ROC curve were 0.789 (95%CI, 0.716-0.863) and 0.780 (95%CI, 0.713-0.847) (P<0.001, both). Cardiovascular disease events occurred in the top risk tertiles. Of note were the negative predictive values in both sexes, and a good specificity in women (85.6%) and sensitivity in men (79.1%) when their risk for cardiovascular disease was high. This model overestimates the risk in older women and in middle-aged men. The cumulative probability of individual survival by tertiles was significant in both sexes (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the proposal for "reclassification" of Framingham. This study, with a few exceptions, passed the test of discrimination and calibration in a random sample of the general population from southern Europe.

[Association of insulin resistance to different anthropometric measures and cardiovascular risk factors in a non-diabetic population]. / Relación de la resistencia a la insulina con diferentes medidas antropométricas y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en una población no diabética.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance (IR) has been directly related to obesity, particularly central obesity, and to other cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). Direct IR quantification is difficult in clinical practice, and indirect methods such as HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) have therefore been developed. The aim of this study was to assess the association of IR, as measured by HOMA, with different anthropometric measures and some CVRFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in a general population sample older than 18 years in the province of Albacete, Spain. Sample size was 678 subjects. Participants completed a survey and underwent physical examinations and laboratory tests. Obesity measures included body mass index, waist perimeter, and sagittal abdominal diameter. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 software. RESULTS: Mean values of obesity measures were higher in males as compared to females and increased with age. IR prevalence was 39.8%. All assessed anthropometric measures, decreased HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol and increased non-HDL cholesterol were independently associated to the risk of IR. CONCLUSIONS: A clear association exists between different anthropometrical measures and IR in the general population. There is also an association between lipid profile cahnges and the risk of experiencing IR.

[Trends in prevalence of risk factors and global cardiovascular risk in general population of albacete, Spain (1992-94 a 2004-06)]. / Evolución de la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo y del riesgo cardiovascular global en población mayor de 18 años de la provincia de Albacete (1992-94 a 2004-06).

BACKGROUND: To establish strategies for prevention of cardiovascular disease implies to know its epidemiology and evolution in time. The objective of this study is to know the prevalence of risk factors and cardiovascular risk in two moments during the following of a grownup general population. METHODS: Study of cohorts, followed at random selected general population during 12 years (1992-94 to 2204-06). Two transversal studies were made, one at the beginning and the other one at the end of this follow-up. The population in this study was 18 years and older registered in the province of Albacete. Random sampling, stratified and two-stage. The sample size for the first cut was 2121 subjects and for second one 1577. One specific anamnesis was made, physical examination, measurement of blood pressure, electrocardiogram and extraction of venous blood. The studied variables were: age, sex, personal and familiar antecedents, risk factors and global cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: 1322 subjects went to the appointment for the first examination (mean age 48.2 years. 53.6% women) and 997 for the second (mean age 52.8 years. 56.7% women). Has Increased the prevalence of hypertension (32.7% to 41,2%), diabetes (9,8 to 11,4%), obesity (27,8 to 34,3%) and hypercolesterolemia (47,5 to 53,5%), whereas smokers have decreased (32,6 to 23,7%) and have handicapped the average values of arterial pressure (132/81 to 129/73 mmHg), glycaemia (100,8 to 92,8 mg/dl) and LDL-cholesterol (128,7 to 116,7 mg/dl) and also a lowering of cardiovascular risk with Framingham (10,8% to 8,2%) and Score (2,3% to 1,6%). CONCLUSIONS: In the last years an increasing prevalence of risk factors has been seen (hypertension, diabetes and hypercolesterolemia), a better control of them, and lower prevalence of smoking and cardiovascular risk in the population has also be seen.

Evolución de la prevalencia de los factories de riesgo y del riesgo cardiovascular global en población mayor de 18 añor de la provincia de Albacete (1992-94 a 2004-06) / Trends in prevalence of risk factors and global cardiovascular risk in general population of Albacete, Spain (1992-94 a 2004-06)

Fundamento: Establecer estrategias de prevención de la enfermedad cardiovascular implica conocer su epidemiología y evolución en el tiempo. El objetivo del estudio es conocer las prevalencias de los factores de riesgo y del riesgo cardiovascular en dos momentos de seguimiento de una población general adulta. Métodos: Dentro de un estudio longitudinal y prospectivo con población general seleccionada al azar seguida durante 12 años (1992-94 a 2004-2006) se hacen dos análisis trasversales al inicio y en el último corte de seguimiento. La población objeto de estudio fueron personas mayores de 18 años censadas en la provincia de Albacete. Muestreo aleatorio, estratificado y bietápico. Tamaño muestral 2.121 y 1.577 sujetos en cada uno de los cortes. Se hizo anamnesis, exploración física, medida de presión arterial, electrocardiograma y extracción de sangre venosa. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, antecedentes personales y familiares, factores de riesgo y riesgo cardiovascular global. Resultados: En el primer examen acudieron a la cita 1.322 sujetos (edad media 48,2 años. 53,6% mujeres) y 997 en el segundo (edad media 52,8 años. 56,7% mujeres). Hubo un aumento en la prevalencia de hipertensión (32,7% a 41,2%) diabetes mellitus (9,8 a 11,4%), obesidad (27,8 a 34,3%) e hipercolesterolemia (47,5 a 53,5%), una disminución de fumadores (32,6 a 23,7%), de valores medios de presión arterial (132/81 a 129/73 mmHg), glucemia (100,8 a 92,8 mg/dl) y col-LDL (128,7 a 116,7 mg/dl) y un descenso del riesgo cardiovascular con Framingham (10,8% a 8,2%) y Score (2,3% a 1,6%). Conclusiones: En los últimos años se observa un aumento en la prevalencia de factores de riesgo (hipertensión, diabetes e hipercolestrerolemia), un mejor control de los mismos, una menor prevalencia de fumadores y menor riesgo cardiovascular en la población(AU)

Background: To establish strategies for prevention of cardiovascular disease implies to know its epidemiology and evolution in time. The objective of this study is to know the prevalence of risk factors and cardiovascular risk in two moments during the following of a grownup general population. Methods: Study of cohorts, followed at random selected general population during 12 years (1992-94 to 2204-06). Two transversal studies were made, one at the beginning and the other one at the end of this followup. The population in this study was 18 years and older registered in the province of Albacete. andom sampling, stratified and two-stage. The sample size for the first cut was 2121 subjects and for second one 1577. One specific anamnesis was made, physical examination, measurement of blood pressure, electrocardiogram and extraction of venous blood. The studied variables were: age, sex, personal and familiar antecedents, risk factors and global cardiovascular risk. Results: 1322 subjects went to the appointment for the first examination (mean age 48.2 years. 53.6% women) and 997 for the second (mean age 52.8 years. 56.7% women). Has Increased the prevalence of hypertension (32.7% to 41,2%), diabetes (9,8 to 11,4%), obesity (27,8 to 34,3%) and hypercolesterolemia (47,5 to 53,5%), whereas smokers have decreased (32,6 to 23,7%) and have handicapped the average values of arterial pressure (132/81 to 129/73 mmHg), glycaemia (100,8 to 92,8 mg/dl) and LDL-cholesterol (128,7 to 116,7 mg/dl) and also a lowering of cardiovascular risk with Framingham (10,8% to 8,2%) and Score (2,3% to 1,6%). Conclusions: In the last years an increasing prevalence of risk factors has been seen (hypertension, diabetes and hypercolesterolemia), a better control of them, and lower prevalence of smoking and cardiovascular risk in the population has also be seen(AU)

[Different uses of home blood pressure measurement in the diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension]. / Diferentes utilidades de la automedición de la presión arterial domiciliaria en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la hipertensión arterial.

OBJECTIVE: To find differences between measurements of clinical blood pressure and self-monitored home blood pressure measurement (HBPM). DESIGN: Descriptive study developed in a general population census. SETTING: Primary care. SUBJECTS: A total of 1411 subjects > or =18 years old were selected by stratified randomized sampling. METHODS: A skilled nurse made 3 clinical blood pressure (CBP) measurements, and trained patients or their relatives in HBPM, doing 12 in one day. CBP and HBPM employed an electronic device (OMRON 705CP). RESULTS: A total of 12 HBPM from 1184 subjects (52% women) were completed, with a mean age of 47.6 (SD, 17.2); 195 subjects were known to have hypertension. White-coat effect was diagnosed in 14.9% of subjects with normal pressure, 22.3% of hypertense patients treated and 57.6% of subjects with suspicion of isolated clinical hypertension. Possible isolated clinical hypertension was diagnosed in 10% of subjects without hypertension. White Coat normal pressure was found in 2.3% of untreated subjects and 4.7% of subjects with treated hypertension. 20.7% of subjects with hypertension poorly controlled in the clinic were considered pseudo-refractory (11.4% at the end of dosage interval). 77% of subjects conducted HBPM on their own and 89% thought it easy to do so. CONCLUSION: Incorporation of HBPM into daily medical practice could avoid 20%-30% of possible mistakes in diagnosis and monitoring of hypertense patients.

Home-based self-measurement of blood pressure: a proposal using new reference values (the PURAS study).

OBJECTIVES: To establish reference values for blood pressure by means of self-measurement of blood pressure (BP) conducted at home. DESIGN: Descriptive study of the distribution of self-measured BP at home and its correspondence with clinic-based measurements of BP. METHODS: The aim of this study is to define the home BP levels that correspond to clinic BP thresholds 140/90 mmHg (hypertension) and 130/85 mmHg (normality). The sample consisting of 1411 randomly selected adults stratified by age and gender. A pre-calibrated electronic device (Omron 705CP) was used for BP and heart rate (HR) measurements and a trained nurse performed clinic-based sphygmomanometer measurements. The same nurse provided tutorials for the subjects on how to obtain 12 self-measured BP values at home using the Omron device in a single day. RESULTS: Of the 1184 volunteers that attended the appointment, 195 were known as hypertensives and were excluded from the study. The average age of the remaining 989 subjects (50.4% females) was 44.3 years. Clinic BP values were significantly higher than self-measured BP at home regardless of age and gender. Both had good correlations (systolic BP, r=0.84 and diastolic BP, r=0.77). Using linear regression, the self-measured BP at home hypertension threshold would be 131/82 mmHg and the limit of normality 123/78 mmHg. Using corresponding percentiles, these values would be 134/85 and 124/80 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The self-measured BP at home values found in this study, when defining hypertension, are lower than values currently accepted (135/85 mmHg). Long-term studies are necessary to confirm these results.