[Factors associated the control of hypertension among older Spaniards, over 60 years of age]. / Factores asociados al control de la hipertension arterial en personas mayores de 60 años en España.

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, improvement has been observed in the control of arterial hypertension in Spain. Such control has an effect in the decrease of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study was to identify factors associated to the control of arterial hypertension in awareness of hypertension among males and females who receive pharmacological treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis, made in basis of the following study data: "Arterial Hypertension and other risk factors in the population of 60 years old and more in Spain". The sample included 1461 hypertensive patients treated pharmacologically, selected by probabilistic and multistage sampling. The information recollected about the control of arterial hypertension, social and demographic variables, lifestyle, healthcare service usage, and life quality related to health, by residence interviewing. RESULTS: No differences between gender were observed in the control of hypertension (p = 0.09), In men control were significantly linked to: residence in rural areas (OR = 1.83; CI at 95%: 1.06-3.14); being single (OR = 3.40; CI at 95%: 1.32-8.74); and exercising (OR = 1.69; CI at 95%: 1.06-2.69). Women who consume alcohol in a moderate way controlled themselves more (OR = 1.63; CI at 95% 1.14-2.33). CONCLUSIONS: This research determines, according to gender, some factors related with the control of arterial hypertension in awareness of hypertension patients treated pharmacologically. In male patients the control is related to: living in rural areas, being single and physical activity. While in females control was associated with moderate alcohol consumption.

Factores asociados con el conocimiento de la hipertensión en españoles mayores de 60 años / Factors associated awareness of hypertension among older Spaniards, over 60 years of age

Objetivo. Identificar los factores asociados al conocimiento de padecer hipertensión en varones y mujeres españoles mayores de 60 años. Material y métodos. Estudio poblacional de 4.009 sujetos a partir de los datos del estudio: “Hipertensión arterial y otros factores de riesgo en la población de 60 años y más de España”. Entrevista en el domicilio que recoge información sobre el conocimiento de padecer hipertensión arterial, además de variables sociodemográficas, estilo de vida, uso de servicios de salud y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Resultados. Las mujeres conocen más la condición de ser hipertensas que los varones (69,2 % frente a 60,2%; p80 años (OR: 0,57). A medida que dejan de acudir a la consulta médica desconocen más, presentan cifras altas de presión arterial sistólica (OR: 0,98) y peor calidad de vida en el índice sumarial físico (OR: 0,98). Las obesas conocen que son hipertensas (OR: 1,52). Conclusiones. El conocimiento se relaciona con diferencias de género, regional, en el estilo de vida y en la calidad de vida. Es recomendable diseñar estrategias diferenciadas por las anteriores variables a fin de incrementar el conocimiento de la hipertensión arterial

Objective. To identify factors associated with the awareness of hypertension among man and women Spaniards age 60 years and older. Material and methods. The data of the study: “Arterial hypertension and other factors of risk in the elderly (?60 years) Spanish population”. This was a population-based survey of 4,009 older Spaniards. Information for this survey was obtained thorough household personal interviews to evaluate the awareness of hypertension and associated factors socio-demographic variables, the use of health system, lifestyles and the quality of life related to health. Results. The women more awareness of hypertension that men (69.2% versus 60.2 %). In men, aged ? 80 years the unawareness to hypertension (OR: 0,61). The less being counseled more knowledge their condition (p trends <0,0001). The awareness associated who having had a previous hospitalization (OR: 1,46) having drunk alcoholic products moderately (OR: 1,63). In women ?80 years of age, unawareness of hypertension (OR: 0,57). The reason is that in according to stop attending medical appointments (OR: 0,98), the systolic pressure will increase 1 mmHg (OR: 0,98) and likewise the physical summary index of life quality will do, but in one point (OR: 0,98). However who know more their situation of hypertension they are the obese ones (OR: 1,52). Conclusions. There are regional differences, gender, lifestyles and to measure health-related quality of life. This demonstrates poor awareness about high blood pressure, so the strategy should be directed toward in these variables mentioned

[Smoking-attributable deaths in Spain in 1998]. / Mortalidad atribuible al tabaquismo en España en 1998.

BACKGROUND: Between 1993 and 1997, smoking prevalence remained stable in Spain yet age-adjusted death rates by smoking-related diseases decreased. Our study aimed to estimate the burden of smoking-attributable mortality in Spain in 1998. POPULATION AND METHOD: Spain's smoking prevalence, mortality and relative risks for death from the Cancer Prevention Study II were used to estimate smoking-attributable mortality in the population aged 35 years and over. RESULTS: In 1998, 55,613 deaths were attributable to smoking. One out of 4 deaths in males and one out of 40 deaths in females were attributable to tobacco. Two thirds of the attributable mortality corresponded to deaths due to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking actually represents a remarkable burden of avoidable deaths in Spain. Smoking-attributable mortality appears to continue increasing in the last years.