Prevention of cardiovascular disease based on lipid lowering treatment: a challenge for the Mexican health system / Prevención de la enfermedad cardiovascular basada en tratamiento hipolipemiante: un reto para el sistema de salud de México

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the percentage of Mexican adults that may require lipid-lowering treatment according to National Cholesterol Education Program-III guidelines, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANut 2006). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information was obtained from 4 040 subjects aged 20 to 69 years, studied after a 9 to 12 hours fast. RESULTS: A cardiovascular risk equivalent was found in 13.8 percent and >2 risk factors were present in 31.5 percent of the population. LDL-C concentrations were above the treatment goal in 70 percent of the high-risk group and in 38.6 percent of subjects with >2 risk factors. Nearly 12 million Mexicans should be taught how to change their lifestyles and close to 8 million individuals require drug therapy to decrease their cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty percent of Mexican adults require some form of lipid-lowering treatment (lifestyle modifications in 36.25 percent, drug therapy in 24.19 percent).

OBJETIVO: Calcular el porcentaje de adultos que requiere tratamiento hipolipemiante de acuerdo con las recomendaciones del Programa Nacional de Educación en Colesterol-III, usando los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron 4040 individuos con edad entre 20 y 69 años estudiados bajo un ayuno de 9 a 12 horas. RESULTADOS: Un equivalente de enfermedad cardiovascular fue identificado en 13.8 por ciento de los participantes. El 31.5 por ciento de la población tenía >2 factores de riesgo cardiovascular. La concentración de colesterol LDL estuvo arriba de la meta terapéutica en 70 por ciento de los casos con alto riesgo cardiovascular y en el 38.6 por ciento de los sujetos con >2 factores de riesgo. Cerca de 12 millones de mexicanos deben modificar su estilo de vida para reducir su concentración de colesterol LDL. Casi 8 millones califican para recibir tratamiento farmacológico. CONCLUSIONES: Una tercera parte de los adultos requiere alguna forma de tratamiento hipolipemiante (cambios en el estilo de vida: 36.25 por ciento, medicamentos: 24.19 por ciento).

The effects of lovastatin on conventional medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms with finasteride

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether or not statins have any impact on the progression of components of benign prostatic hyperplasia (lower urinary tract symptoms severity, prostate volume and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) when combined with other agents inhibiting growth of prostate cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a preliminary, clinical study. Eligible patients were aged > 50 yrs, with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) between 9 and 19, total prostate volume (TPV) > 40 mL, and serum PSA > 1.5 ng/mL. Patients were divided in two groups: those with and those without lipidemia. After selection, eligible BPH patients with lipidemia (n = 18) were prescribed lovastatin 80 mg daily and finasteride 5 mg daily, while eligible patients without lipidemia (n = 15) were prescribed only finasteride 5 mg daily. IPSS, TPV and serum PSA were evaluated at end point (4 months). RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups on the primary end point of mean change from baseline in IPSS (p = 0.69), TPV (p = 0.90) and PSA (p = 0.16) after 4 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term lovastatin treatment does not seem to have any effect on IPSS, TPV and PSA in men with prostatic enlargement due to presumed BPH.

Análise do perfil lipídico de mulheres idosas em Curitiba - Paraná / Analysis of the lipid profile of elderly woman in Curitiba - Parana

FUNDAMENTO: A dislipidemia é considerada um dos principais fatores de risco para a doença cardiovascular, que, por sua vez, é mais freqüente em indivíduos de idade avançada. Contudo, evidências sugerem que uma parcela da população idosa desconhece a característica de seu perfil lipídico, assim como muitos não possuem acesso a um tratamento adequado. OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil lipídico e a freqüência da utilização da terapia hipolipemiante de mulheres idosas em Curitiba - Paraná. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 312 mulheres (idade média 68,8; desvio padrão 6,0 anos). O perfil lipídico foi determinado por meio das dosagens de colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-C), colesterol de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-C) e triglicerídeos (TG). A utilização da terapia hipolipemiante foi verificada por meio de auto-relato, em seguida os grupos foram divididos em dois subgrupos, satisfatório e insatisfatório. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada uma grande prevalência de indivíduos com valores insatisfatórios nos componentes do perfil lipídico, no grupo que relatou não estar sob terapia hipolipemiante: 74,2 por cento das mulheres portadoras de doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) apresentaram valores superiores à meta lipêmica para o LDL-C (<100,0 mg/dl). Por sua vez, 45,8 por cento a 49,3 por cento dos indivíduos do grupo que relatou utilizar medicamento hipolipemiante apresentaram valores insatisfatórios para CT, TG e LDL-C, e 25,4 por cento obtiveram valores de HDL-C inferiores a 40,0 mg/dl. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados desta investigação indicam uma alta prevalência de mulheres idosas, independentemente do auto-relato de utilizar terapia hipolipemiante, com o perfil lipídico desfavorável, principalmente em relação à meta lipêmica para o LDL-C nas mulheres idosas portadoras de DCV.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is considered one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is more frequent in older individuals. However, evidence suggests that a large number of elderly individuals is not aware of their lipid profile status; additionally, many of them do not have access to adequate treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the lipid profile and the frequency of lipid-lowering therapy use in elderly women from the city of Curitiba, state of Parana, Brazil. METHODS: The sample consisted of 312 women (mean age = 68.8; SD = 6.0 years). The lipid profile was determined by plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). The number of subjects that reported being on lipid-lowering therapy was self-reported; therefore, the groups were divided into two subgroups, satisfactory and unsatisfactory. RESULTS: A high prevalence of individuals with unsatisfactory levels of lipid profile components was observed in the group that self-reported not being on lipid-lowering therapy; of these, 74.2 percent of women with CVD presented levels above the LDL-C goal. On the other hand, 45.8 to 49.3 percent of the individuals from the group that self-reported being on lipid-lowering therapy had unsatisfactory values of TC, TG and LDL-C, and 25.4 percent had HDL-C levels lower than 40.0 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation indicate a high prevalence of elderly women, regardless of self-reports of being on lipid-lowering therapy, with an unsatisfactory lipid profile, mainly related to LDL-C goal for those individuals with CVD.

Dislipidemia en el anciano / Dyslipidemia in the Elderly

La edad es un factor de riesgo independiente e inmodificable para enfermedad coronaria. En México, alrededor del 50% de las muertes que ocurren después de los 65 años de edad son debidas a cardiopatía isquémica. La senectud produce importantes diferencias en la presentación, en el diagnóstico, en el pronóstico y en la respuesta a la terapia. La meta fundamental en el tratamiento de la enfermedad arterial coronaria es la prolongación de la vida y la mejoría en la calidad de la misma. En el grupo de ancianos, lo más importante será elevar su calidad de vida con el objetivo primordial de favorecer la autosuficiencia. La disminución en los niveles de lípidos séricos se asocia con una reducción en la incidencia de cardiopatía isquémica independiente de la edad. El tratamiento deberá inicialmente constar de una prescripción dietética individualizada y modificación del estilo de vida. Cuando esto es insuficiente para lograr los niveles deseados de lípidos, el tratamiento de elección es la administración de estatinas. Cuando los triglicéridos están elevados y el C-HDL es bajo, la indicación será para fibratos. El beneficio absoluto es mayor en los enfermos de edades más avanzadas, reduciendo el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares que puedan afectar su independencia y su calidad de vida.

Age is an independent and unmodifiable risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis. In Mexico, coronary heart disease is responsible for 50 % of the deaths for those older than 65 years of age. Aging produces major differences in the presentation, diagnosis, prognosis, and response to therapy in coronary heart disease. The goal of treatment is the prolongation of survival and the improvement of the quality of life. However, in the elderly, the aim of therapy should focus on attaining a meaningful quality of life thus allowing them to be functionally independent. Clinical trials demonstrate conclusively that lowering serum cholesterol levels will reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease irrespective of age. Dietary advise and lifestyle modifications are the first-line approach in the elderly. When these measures are insufficient to achieve target lipid reductions, statins are the drug of choice. Fibrates may be indicated if triglycerides are high and C-HDL is low. Given the grater coronary risk of older population, the absolute benefit will be greater in the elderly.