Validación de un puntaje de riesgo cardiovascular en niños españoles aplicado a una población de escolares de Santiago de Chile / Association between a cardiovascular risk score and early markers of atherosclerotic disease in Chilean children

ABSTRACT

Background: A cardiovascular risk score for children, that includes traditional risk factors, obesity, sedentary habits and a family history of cardiovascular disease, has been recently proposed by Spanish researchers. Aim: To apply this score in school age children in Santiago de Chile and correlate its results with markers of subclinical atherosclerotic disease. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data obtained from 209 children, aged 11.5 ± 2 years, studied between 2005 and 2006. Weight, height, blood pressure, ultrasound measurement of carotid intimamedia thickness and fow mediated dilatation of brachial artery and ultrasensible C reactive protein (us PCR) were measured. The Spanish cardiovascular risk score was calculated and correlated with ultrasound parameters and C reactive protein. Results: According to the score, 173 children (83 percent) had a low cardiovascular risk, 28 (13 percent) an intermediate risk and 8 (4 percent) a high risk. There was no association between the cardiovascular risk score and carotid intima-media thickness, fow mediated arterial dilatation and us PCR. Conclusions: No significant association was observed between the proposed cardiovascular risk score and early markers of atherosclerotic disease in this group of children.