[Degree of understanding, treatment and control of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus in the general adult population]. / Grado de conocimiento, tratamiento y control de la hipertensión arterial, hipercolesterolemia y diabetes mellitus en la población general adulta.

OBJECTIVES: To calculate the prevalence of the main cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) after diagnostic confirmation using clinical criteria. To analyse the degree of understanding and monitoring of these factors and to evaluate the association of CVRF with each other, so estimating who is susceptible to intervention. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study. SETTING: Population study conducted in Health Area 20 of the Community of Valencia (county of the Low Plain of the River Segura). PATIENTS: People who had lived in this Area for >=20 years. Proportional, multi-stage randomised sampling with definition of sample quotas according to type of residence. SAMPLE SIZE: 2550 people (no reply in first stage: 26%). The second stage involved the clinical confirmation of those identified as suffering from hypertension (HT) (374), hypercholesterolaemia (HCOL) (126), and diabetes (DM) (33). MEASUREMENTS: Patients identified were interviewed for taking blood pressure in the case of those with HT, and blood samples in the case of those with HCOL and DM. The diagnostic criteria recommended by the latest consensus were used. RESULTS: 1886 people (78.1%) took part. Prevalences found: total HT 42+/-2.2%, diagnosed: 11.7+/-1.4; total HCOL 26.6+/-2%; total DM 9.5+/-1.3%. Tobacco dependency was 33.6+/-2.1% and Obesity: 31.6+/-2.1%. Degree of control: HT, 8.6%; HCOL, 21.7%; DM, 56.1%. Association of CVR factors with each other: 25.5% had neither HT nor HCOL and did not smoke. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of CVRF in our area, compared with published national findings. Tobacco dependency is less common than at national level. The degree of control is very low and the association of the main CVRF factors for ischaemic cardiopathy reflect that nearly 75% of the population requires a preventive intervention.

[Prevalence study of cardiovascular risk factors in a health area]. / Estudio de prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en un área de salud.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity and tobacco dependency, in Health Area 20 of the Community of Valencia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study. SETTING: Population study carried out in Health Area 20 of the Community of Valencia (Vega Baja del río Segura county). PATIENTS: >=20 years-old people, living in this area. Multi-stage randomised sample proportional to the definition of sample quotas according to the kind of residence (urban, peri-urban or rural), age groups and sex. Calculated sample size of 2550 people. Pregnant women and people diagnosed with incapacitating psychiatric or physical illnesses (134) were excluded. The rest (2416) were included. MEASUREMENTS: A questionnaire was filled out in a face-to-face interview and a basic physical examination was made. A blood sample was taken. The following variables were recorded: personal details, social and economic details, previous illnesses (cardiovascular, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, DM), tobacco habit, Body Mass Index, blood pressure, haemogram and standard biochemical test. The most recently agreed and recommended diagnostic criteria were used for each factor. RESULTS: 1886 people of the 2416 eligible took part (78.06%). Prevalence was as follows: hypertension, 30.3+/-2.1% (women, 34.1+/-2.9%; men, 25.8+/-2.9%); hypercholesterolaemia, 22.6+/-1.9%; diabetes, 8.4+/-1.2%; tobacco dependency, 33.6+/-2.1% (women, 25.4+/-2.7%; men, 42.2+/-3.3%; 20-39 years old age-group, 56.9+/-3.8%), and obesity, 31.6+/-2.1% (women, 34.6+/-2.9%; men, 28.1+/-3%; age group >=60 years old, 46.7+/-3.9%). Detection data were shown. CONCLUSIONS: High presence of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes and obesity, greater than the country-wide level. Tobacco dependency was less common, though very high in young people. Known hypertension and obesity are more common in women than men.