Self-reported cerebrovascular and heart diseases and cardiovascular risk factors in Portugal: the AMALIA study.

INTRODUCTION

There is a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors in the European population. In order to decrease their incidence, it is necessary to adopt healthy lifestyles and to apply appropriate therapeutic measures. There is therefore a need to inform, to motivate, and to evaluate attitudes and the effectiveness of the measures put into practice.

OBJECTIVES

The study's main objective is to determine the prevalence of the main clinical manifestations of ischemic heart and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as cardiovascular risk factors, according to how they are perceived, and to evaluate consumption of health resources (such as hospitalization and medication). Secondary objectives are to characterize work absenteeism and the quality of life of those surveyed.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study, using a structured questionnaire in a direct interview.

POPULATION

38,000 individuals of both genders, aged 40 years or more. STUDY LOCATION: Randomly selected municipalities in seven Portuguese regions.

MEASUREMENTS

The questionnaire covers sociodemographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, use of medication and health care services (hospitalizations, medical appointments and diagnostic exams) for the treatment and follow-up of these pathologies, and also quality of life. QUALITY CONTROL: Morbidity data were validated through a pilot study involving 500 individuals from Lisbon, Porto and Leiria. These individuals were requested to fill in the questionnaire, and their blood pressure, total cholesterol level, weight, height, and hip and waist circumference are assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its limitations, which include the evaluation of diseases based on self-reporting, the methodology adopted is justified by the advantage of ease of application, notably the need for fewer resources. A health examination survey-type study of this size would be difficult to implement. The evaluation of patients' perception regarding risk factors, cardiovascular diseases and quality of life may help to define the needs and priorities for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment, which are essential in order to reduce their incidence.