Body mass index, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol in young Swiss men: an analysis on 56784 army conscripts.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of excess bodyweight and high blood pressure in young Swiss men and to evaluate the associations of these disorders with serum cholesterol in this important population. METHODS: The study investigated a large cohort of 56784 Swiss army conscripts aged 18-25 years from 2004 through to 2007. RESULTS: From the investigated men, 2231 (3.9%) were underweight with a body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2, 42681 (75.2%) were normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), 9562 (16.8%) were overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and 1811 (3.2%), 402 (0.7%) and 96 (0.2%) had obesity classes I, II or III, respectively. The prevalence of blood pressure within the hypertensive range significantly increased through these categories of BMI (12.5%, 23.9%, 37.6%, 49.7%, 56.7%, and 54.2%), as did serum levels of cholesterol (3.8 +/- 0.6, 4.0 +/- 0.7, 4.4 +/- 0.8, 4.7 +/- 0.9, 4.7 +/- 0.9, and 4.8 +/- 1.1 mmol/l). Serum cholesterol also increased through categories of blood pressure (4.0 +/- 0.7 mmol/l in normotensive subjects and 4.1 +/- 0.7, 4.2 +/- 0.8, and 4.5 +/- 0.9 in those with blood pressure in the ranges of pre-hypertension, and hypertension stages 1 and 2, respectively); excess body weight and blood pressure in the hypertensive range were associated with serum cholesterol in a mutually independent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence rates of excess bodyweight and of elevated blood pressure are high in young Swiss men, and these entities are strongly interrelated. Excess body weight and high blood pressure are independently associated with high serum cholesterol in this population. Excess bodyweight and associated risk factors should receive increased attention in young Swiss men.

[Growing importance of the Coordinated Medical Services]. / Steigende Bedeutung des Koordinierten Sanitätsdienstes.

Diminishing resources and growing risks call more than ever for optimum coordination of all medical assets between the different partners, so that all patients can be given the best possible medical support in all situations. The significance of the Coordinated Medical Services (CMS) has been underlined by the new ordinance which entered into force on 1 June 2005.

Respiratory symptoms and smoking behaviour in Swiss conscripts.

AIM: Smoking is a major health hazard in young adults. Reducing smoking is the only well established effective primary prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We undertook a prospective cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, smoking behaviour and willingness to participate in a smoking cessation program in Swiss conscripts. METHODS: Conscripts completed a standardized questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, asthma and smoking behaviour and underwent spirometry measurement. RESULTS: 2604 conscripts were included. 1252 (48%) were current smokers, 144 (6%) were former smokers, 111 (4%) were recent beginners or low intensity smokers and 1097 (42%) were never smokers. Respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in smokers compared to never smokers (wheezing 16% vs. 7%, wheezing without cold 9% vs. 4%, exercise dyspnoea 15% vs. 10%, regular cough 35% vs. 10% and regular phlegm 15% vs. 2%). The mean score of the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependency (FTND) was 2.6 (+/-2.1). According to the transtheoretical model of stage of change 50% were in the precontemplation, 34% in the contemplation, 5% in the preparation, 5% in the action and 6% in the maintenance stage. Amongst the current smokers 33% were willing to participate in a smoking cessation program. Those willing to participate in a smoking cessation program included 17% precontemplators and 53% contemplators. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms in young current smokers. The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence score in conscripts is low thus favouring a potentially successful outcome of a smoking cessation intervention. Using motivational stages to tailor smoking cessation aids might preclude adequate interventions in individuals belonging to the precontemplation stage.

Prevalence of long and short QT in a young population of 41,767 predominantly male Swiss conscripts.

BACKGROUND: Abnormally long and short QT intervals are recognized to be associated with an increased risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. It is therefore important to define the upper and lower border of the normal QT. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the normal distribution of the QT interval in a contemporary population of young conscripts and to define long and short limits of the QT interval. METHODS: In Switzerland, all young male citizens must undergo compulsory conscription for the Swiss Army at the age of 18 to 19 years. In every conscript, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed. Retrospectively, 41,767 consecutive ECGs of Swiss citizens who underwent conscription for the army between March 1, 2004, and July 31, 2006, were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean QTc Bazett interval was 394 +/- 22 ms. One percent of the conscripts had a Bazett QTc shorter than 347 ms, and one percent had a Bazett QTc longer than 445 ms, respectively. None of the subjects presented a QTc Bazett < 300 ms; the prevalence of a QTc Bazett < 320 ms was 0.02%. CONCLUSION: The present study shows the distribution of QT intervals in an unselected young population. Because none of the subjects presented a QTc < 300 ms, it may be concluded that the short QT syndrome is a very rare entity in the population of young male adults.