Predictors of coronary heart diseases among children and adolescents in families with premature coronary heart diseases in central eastern Finland.

OBJECTIVE

To describe coronary heart disease (CHD) predictors in children and adolescents (aged from 7 to 16 years) in families with premature CHD.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional cohort study.

SETTING

Part of a family-oriented preventive intervention programme concerning CHD risk factors in central eastern Finland (FOPIC study).

SUBJECTS

473 participants in families with premature CHD and 371 in control families.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Traditional CHD predictors.

RESULTS

Offspring in families with premature CHD had significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol (TC, 4.7 vs 4.5 mmol/l, p < 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, 2.8 vs 2.6 mmol/l, p < 0.01) than the control children, and higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP, p < 0.01). According to this cross-sectional screening of children in high-CHD-risk families in the Kainuu region, 75% of those with adverse cholesterol values could be found. After adjusting for confounding factors, associations between TC, LDL-C, body mass index, DBP and the offspring of families with a history of premature CHD found.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated strong associations between CHD predictors and offspring with a family history of premature CHD. The findings confirm the usability of familial premature CHD in screening for early prevention in primary health care.