Prevalence of dyslipidemia in statin-treated patients in the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania): results of the Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Baltic nations (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) are profoundly affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies have indicated that patients may experience persistent dyslipidemia despite chronic statin treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors for dyslipidemia despite statin-treatment in a large dataset from the Baltic nations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients in primary care centers across the Baltic nations were enrolled into the cross-sectional, observational Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS). Patients were ≥ 45 years old and had been treated with statins for at least three months. Patient characteristics and lipid measurements were used to determine variables contributing to dyslipidemia (abnormal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], or total triglyceride [TG] values). RESULTS: We enrolled 1797 patients with a mean age of 66.1 years and 59.1% being female. Overall 63.4% had cardiovascular disease, 30.1% were diabetic and 77.8% at high risk for cardiovascular complications. LDL-C was not at target level for 80.7%; low HDL-C levels were observed for 26.0%, and elevated TG levels were found in 35.0% of all patients. Multivariate analyses indicated that a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.45-3.08) and hypertension (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.1 6-5.10) were strongly associated with dyslipidemia (involving all three lipids) during statin therapy while age ≥ 70 years (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.94) and female gender (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.33-0.68) conferred reduced risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate many statin-treated patients in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania did not meet target lipid levels and had a very high risk of CVD. Combating other well-known CVD risk factors such as obesity and hypertension is vital to reduce the exceptionally high risk for CVD mortality seen in the Baltic nations.

Trends in incidence, attack rate, and mortality of acute myocardial infarction in Estonia: the Tallinn AMI Registry 1991-2005.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary event rates have declined in most Western countries during the past decades, but the trends in the former Eastern block have not been established. The purpose of the present study was to examine the trends in acute coronary events during 1991-2005 in Tallinn, Estonia. DESIGN: The Tallinn Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Registry recorded all AMI events among the residents of Tallinn, Estonia, aged 35-64 years during two time periods, 1991-1997 and 2003-2005. RESULTS: Altogether, 4889 AMI events were recorded. The average age-standardized incidence and attack rate of AMI events were lower in the second than in the first registration period in both sexes. When analyzed annually, the AMI event rates increased from 1991 to 1993 in both sexes. Thereafter from 1993 to 2005 the incidence of first AMI events declined significantly, 2.7%/year in men and 5.0%/year in women (P < 0.001 for both). Also the other event types, except the attack rate among men, tended to decline after 1993. CONCLUSIONS: The year 1993 denoted a significant turning-point in the trends in AMI events in Tallinn, Estonia. After that especially the incidence of first AMI started to decline, and the declines have continued until 2005.