Trend in prevalence of uncontrolled total serum cholesterol for cardio-cerebro-vascular disease in a mediterranean area, 1988/89-2008/09.

AIM

To examine trends of uncontrolled total serum cholesterol, treatment and control in a Mediterranean region (Campania).

METHODS

We considered and compared the data collected as part of "Montecorvino Rovella Project" 1988-1989 and cross-sectional data from the two phases of the "VIP Project-Valle dell'Irno Prevenzione": 1998-1999 (1(st) phase) and 2008-2009 (2(nd) phase), in the 35-74-year-old-population.

RESULTS

Data show a reduction of mean cholesterolemia in the last twenty years of 7.3 mg/dL for men and unchanged values for women. In the three surveys the mean values for serum cholesterol are in men: 205.2 ± 47.1 mg/dL (1988/89), 200 ± 38.9 mg/dL (1998/99) and 197.9 ± 40.2 mg/dL (2008/09); in the women: 203.1 ± 42.5 mg/dL (1988/89), 198.9 ± 37.9 mg/dL (1998/99) and 203.3 ± 39.3 mg/dL (2008/09). Prevalence of uncontrolled high cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL for men decreased from 20.8% (1988/89) to 14.3% (1998/99) and 13.9% (2008/9), P = 0.002; for women the values decreased from 19.9% (1988/89), to 18.2% (1998/99) and 18.1% (2008/09), P = 0.007. Is statistically increased the number of patients treated and those treated to target.

CONCLUSION

Encouraging increases in awareness, treatment, and control of hypercholesterolemia occurred from 1988 through 2008. Nevertheless, control of hypercholesterolemia remains poor.