Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Catalonia (Spain).

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most important public health problems in developed countries. We have studied the epidemiology of the following cardiovascular disease risk factors in a random sample (n = 704) of the adult population of Catalonia (Spain): hypercholesterolemia (> or = 6.1) mmol/l or 240 mg/dl), hypertension (SBP > or = 160 and/or DBP > or = 95 mmHg), low HDL-cholesterol concentrations (< 0.9 mmol/l or 35 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia (> 2.8 mmol/l or 250 mg/dl), obesity (BMI > 30), smoking and history of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Two percent of participants had hypertriglyceridemia, 3% had a history of coronary heart disease, 4% a history of diabetes, 6% low HDL-cholesterol concentrations, 12% were obese, 20% had hypertension, 24% had hypercholesterolemia and 36% were smokers. 58% of hypertensive individuals had been previously detected, 46% were currently on treatment, and 21% had their blood pressure controlled (SBP < 160 and DBP < 95 mmHg). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the association between cardiovascular risk factors. Multiple linear regression analysis showed independent correlations between risk factors. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes was higher and prevalence of smoking was lower in hypertensives than normotensives. The odds ratio was 3.68 (95% CI = 2.07-6.54) for hypercholesterolemia, 3.26 (95% CI = 1.52-7.02) for obesity, 3.81 (95% CI = 1.09-7.02) for diabetes and 0.40 (95% CI = 0.22-0.70) for smoking. The adjusted odds ratio was statistically significant for hypercholesterolemia (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.01-3.75). The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was similar to that observed in other Mediterranean communities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)