Risk factors for new atherothrombotic brain infarction in older Hispanic men and women.

BACKGROUND: We report the prevalence and incidence of atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI) in older Hispanic men and women in a long-term health care facility. METHODS: The prevalence and incidence of ABI and the association of risk factors with new ABI were investigated in 201 Hispanic men, mean age 79 +/- 8 years, and in 302 Hispanic women, mean age 80 +/- 9 years, in a long-term health care facility. Mean follow-up was 42 +/- 20 months in men and 47 +/- 26 months in women. RESULTS: The prevalence of prior ABI was 33% in Hispanic men and 30% in Hispanic women. The incidence of new ABI was 24% in Hispanic men and 23% in Hispanic women. Significant independent risk factors for new ABI were age (risk ratio = 1.09 in men and 1.08 in women for each increase of 1 year of age), current cigarette smoking (risk ratio = 2.8 in men and 2.7 in women), hypertension (risk ratio = 2.8 in men), diabetes mellitus (risk ratio = 3.5 in men and 5.0 in women), prior ABI (risk ratio = 5.6 in men and 5.5 in women), serum total cholesterol (risk ratio = 1.03 in men and 1.01 in women for each 1 mg/dl increase), and serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (risk ratio = 1.06 in men and 1.06 in women for each 1 mg/dl decrease). CONCLUSIONS: Significant independent risk factors for new ABI were age, current cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, prior ABI, serum total cholesterol, and serum HDL cholesterol (inverse association) in older Hispanic men and women and hypertension in older Hispanic men.     

Ethnic differences in peripheral arterial disease in the NHLBI Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study

Few studies have investigated whether ethnic groups differ in the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We compared the distribution of the ankle-brachial index (ABI), a measure of PAD, between African Americans and non-Hispanic white individuals. Subjects (n = 931) belonged to the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study, a community-based study of hypertensive sibships, and included 453 African Americans from Jackson, Mississipi (mean age 72 +/- 6 years, 69% women) and 478 non-Hispanic white individuals from Rochester, Minnesota (mean age 58 +/- 7 years, 64% women). ABI was determined at two sites in each lower extremity and the lowest of four indices was used in the analyses. PAD was defined as an ABI of < or = 0.95. Information about conventional risk factors was derived from interviews and from blood samples drawn at the study visit. The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was significantly higher in African Americans than in non-Hispanic white individuals. After adjusting for age, African American subjects had a lower mean ABI (women 0.97 vs 1.04, p < 0.001; men 0.96 vs 1.12, p < 0.001) and a greater prevalence of PAD (women 34% vs 22%, p = 0.010; men 33% vs 11%, p < 0.001) than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. In multiple regression analyses, African American ethnicity was a predictor of a lower ABI and the presence of PAD in each sex after adjusting for age and other conventional risk factors. In conclusion, the lower ABI and greater prevalence of PAD in African Americans than in non-Hispanic white individuals is not explained by differences in conventional risk factors. Identifying additional 'novel' risk factors that account for the ethnic differences in PAD is an important next step towards understanding why such differences exist and developing more effective strategies to reduce the burden of PAD.     

Multi-country study on the prevalence and clinical features of peripheral arterial disease in Asian type 2 diabetes patients at high risk of atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE: PAD-SEARCH was the first international study to investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Asian type 2 diabetic patients and to demonstrate the relationships between putative risk factors and PAD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In total 6625 type 2 diabetic patients aged 50 and older were enrolled and determined ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 63.7+/-8.2 years and mean duration of diabetes was 10.3+/-8.0 years. One thousand one hundred and seventy-two (17.7%) subjects were diagnosed as PAD by ABI (< or =0.9). PAD subjects had a significantly longer duration of diabetes, hypertension, higher HbA1c, and a significantly lower mean BMI than non-PAD subjects. In terms of lipid profiles, triglyceride was the only significant variable. Notably, mean ABI and baPWV in females were significantly poorer than age matched males in subjects with a normal ABI. However, mean ABI and baPWV in males were significantly poorer than in age matched females in subjects with PAD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PAD is a common complication in Asian type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, PAD screening and treatment should be emphasized for Asian diabetic patients with high risk factors.     

Importance of HDL cholesterol levels and the total/ HDL cholesterol ratio as a risk factor for coronary heart disease in molecularly defined heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

AIMS: To assess the relationship of the lipid profile to coronary heart disease in a group of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects with similar age, sex, body mass index, prevalence of angiotensin converting enzyme DD genotype and type of low density lipoprotein receptor mutation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 66 molecularly defined heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects, 33 of whom had coronary heart disease, were studied. Clinical features, cardiovascular risk factors and lipid parameters were compared in both groups. Familial hypercholesterolaemic patients with coronary heart disease showed significantly lower values of mean plasma HDL cholesterol and a higher total/HDL cholesterol ratio as compared with familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects free of coronary heart disease. Total and LDL cholesterol concentrations were higher in patients with coronary heart disease, without reaching statistical significance. No differences in plasma lipoprotein(a) levels on absolute and log-transformed values were observed between the two groups. In the whole familial hypercholesterolaemia group, plasma HDL cholesterol levels were related to plasma triglyceride values and to LDL receptor gene 'null mutations'. CONCLUSIONS: In familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects of similar age, gender, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and genetic factors that could influence coronary heart disease risk, plasma HDL cholesterol values and total/HDL cholesterol ratios are two important coronary risk factors. Hence, treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia should focus not only on lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels, but also on increasing HDL cholesterol values for coronary heart disease prevention. More prospective and intervention trials should be conducted to establish the relationship of HDL cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease in familial hypercholesterolaemia.     

Association of plasma viscosity with cardiovascular risk factors in obesity: an old marker, a new insight

OBJECTIVE: Although obesity is related with cardiovascular disease, the exact mechanism of the relationship is not fully understood. We aim to examine the relationship between plasma viscosity and obesity as a cardiovascular disease risk factor in obese and non-obese groups. METHODS: We recruited 75 obese subjects (mean age: 40.2+/-8.4 years, Body Mass Index: 33.61+/-2.57 kg/m(2)) who were admitted to the Clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty. As a non-obese group (n=70, mean age: 41.78+/-9.7 years, Body Mass Index: 21.84+/-3.42 kg/m(2)) healthy subjects from medical and laboratory staff were selected. Plasma viscosity and lipid profile were measured and atherogenic index was calculated as atherogenic risk factors. RESULTS: Plasma viscosity, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels and atherogenic index were significantly increased in obese group compared to non-obese group for each p<0.001. We found no significant difference in plasma fibrinogen, insulin, albumin and HDL-cholesterol levels between obese and non-obese groups. Plasma viscosity was correlated with total cholesterol and atherogenic index only in the obese group (p<0.05 and p<0.05 respectively). In the non-obese group regarding PV, we determined a positive correlation with triglycerides (r: 0.470, p<0.05) and negative correlation with HDL-C (r: -0.518, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma viscosity, an early atherosclerotic risk factor, might be helpful in the assessment of cardiovascular risk in obese subjects along with classical cardiovascular risk factors such as plasma cholesterol and atherogenic index.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and carotid intima-media thickening in patients with newly detected primary hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between ultrasonographically evaluated intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid artery (CCA) and cardiovascular risk factors for subjects with newly detected, uncomplicated and untreated primary hypertension. METHODS: The study population consisted of 200 subjects (123 men and 77 women, aged 46+/-7.5 years). Blood pressure was measured in the clinical setting and by 24 h noninvasive ambulatory monitoring. Fasting levels of blood glucose, plasma lipids and lipoproteins, fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were measured. Ultrasound examination included measurement of far-wall intima-media complex of CCA and morphologic evaluation of occurrence of plaques in carotid and femoral bifurcations. RESULTS: The prevalence of greater than normal IMT (mean IMT > or =0.80 mm) was 22%. Significant univariate correlations to the dichotomy between normal and greater than normal mean IMT were detected for age, smoking, level of LDL cholesterol, level of PAI-1 and total ultrasonographic score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the associations between greater than normal mean IMT and plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol and PAI-1 as well as total ultrasonographic score. CONCLUSION: Greater than normal IMT of CCA was more strictly related to other cardiovascular risk factors than it was to blood pressure and was strongly associated with the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid and femoral arteries. The role of PAI-1 in intima-media thickening that is emerging suggests that fibrinolytic balance is an important determinant of vessel-wall homeostasis in hypertensive patients.     

Risk factors for atherothrombotic brain infarction in persons over 62 years of age in a long-term health care facility

A history of systolic (greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg) or diastolic (greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg) hypertension, diabetes mellitus (fasting venous plasma glucose greater than or equal to 140 mg/dl), a history of cigarette smoking, fasting serum total cholesterol greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl and greater than or equal to 250 mg/dl, and obesity (greater than or equal to 20% above ideal body weight) were examined as risk factors for atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI) in 144 men, mean age 81 +/- 8 years, and 391 women, mean age 82 +/- 8 years, in a long-term health care facility. ABI occurred in 33 of 144 men (23%) and in 68 of 391 women (17%), P not significant. A history of systolic or diastolic hypertension correlated with ABI in both men and women (P less than 0.001). Diabetes mellitus correlated with ABI in both men and women (P less than 0.001). A history of cigarette smoking correlated with ABI in men (P less than 0.02) but not in women. Serum total cholesterol greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl and greater than or equal to 250 mg/dl did not significantly correlate with ABI in men or in women. Obesity did not significantly correlate with ABI in men or in women. Systolic or diastolic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cigarette smoking are risk factors for ABI in elderly men. Systolic or diastolic hypertension and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for ABI in elderly women.     

踝臂指数与心脑血管病危险因素关系的研究

目的探讨心脑血管病高危患者踝臂指数（ABI）异常的检出率与心脑血管疾病危险因素及临床心脑血管事件的关系。方法选取我院288例心脑血管病高危住院患者,年龄30-93（64±13）岁,男性165例,女性123例;分为ABI正常组（ABI 0．9～1．3）193例和ABI异常组（1．3〈ABI〈0．9）95例,进行ABI、身高、体重指数、腰围、臀围、血压、心率测量,病史采集及血液生化检查;比较两组间与心脑血管病各危险因素及临床心脑血管病事件发生情况的差异。结果288例患者中ABI异常95例,检出率为32．98％。影响ABI的主要危险因素为年龄（P=0．001）、性别（P=0．013）、血糖（P〈0．01）、血脂（P=0．003）、血压（P〈0．01）、吸烟（P=0．002）等。异常组心、脑血管病事件的检出率分别为26．32％和37．89％,明显高于ABI正常组的10．36％和20．21％,经Logistic回归分析处理,OR值分别是4．09、2．11,P〈0．05,差异有统计学意义。结论心脑血管病高危患者中ABI异常检出率高;ABI与心脑血管病各危险因素具有良好的相关性;ABI是心脑血管事件的预测因子之一。     

Prevalence of lower limb occlusive vascular disease in outclinic diabetic patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for peripheral occlusive vascular disease (POVD) in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Brazil. METHODS: We evaluated 236 diabetic individuals, in spontaneous demand, representing 471 legs. POVD was assessed by the ankle brachial index (ABI). RESULTS: The mean age was 62.1 years (range 22-89 years), 52% were male, 93.2% type II DM and the mean time to diagnosis was 7.9 years (range 0-37 years). Sixty percent were hypertensives. In 61% at least one pulse was diminished or absent. The prevalence of ischemia was 18% (ABI<0.9) while 22% had an ABI compatible with high grade arterial calcification (ABI>1.3). Overall less than 1/3 of the cases had the vascular exam that could be considered normal. The ABI was lower in subjects with pulse deficit (p<0.001), and a normal pulse had a negative predictive value for ischemia of more than 90%. Subjects with normal pulses were younger and had a decreased diabetes duration (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). An increase in the duration of the diabetes was associated with a progressive decrease in the ABI (p<0.01). Female gender and hypertension were associated with a reduced ABI (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of POVD in diabetic individuals. The disease is associated with hypertension and female gender and gets worse with increasing duration of the diabetes.     

Ankle brachial index as a marker of atherosclerosis in Chinese patients with high cardiovascular risk.

To obtain reliable data on the epidemiology, co-morbidities and risk factor profile of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), we evaluated the clinical significance of the ankle brachial index (ABI) as an indicator of PAD in Chinese patients at high cardiovascular (CV) risk. ABI was measured in 5,646 Chinese patients at high CV risk, and PAD was defined as an ABI<0.9 in either leg. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PAD. A total of 5,263 patients were analyzed, 52.9% male, mean age 67.3 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 24.2 kg/m2, mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) 139/80.7 mmHg. The prevalence of PAD in the total group of patients was 25.4%, and the prevalence was higher in females than in males (27.1% vs. 23.9%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.64). Patients with PAD were older than those without PAD (72.3+/-9.9 years vs. 65.6+/-11.7 years; OR: 1.06), and more frequently had diabetes (43.3% vs. 31.3%; OR: 2.02), coronary heart disease (CHD) (27.0% vs. 18.8%; OR: 1.67), stroke (44.4% vs. 28.3%; OR: 1.78), lipid disorders (57.2% vs. 50.7%; OR: 1.3) and a smoking habit (42.7% vs. 38.6%; OR: 1.52). The ORs for the PAD group compared with the non-PAD group demonstrated that these conditions were inversely related to ABI. Statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors and antiplatelet agents were only used in 40.5%, 53.6% and 69.1% of PAD patients, respectively. The data demonstrated the high prevalence and low treatment of PAD in Chinese patients at high CV risk. A lower ABI was associated with generalized atherosclerosis. Based on these findings, ABI should be a routine measurement in high risk patients. Aggressive medication was required in these patients.     

东北地区城市脂肪肝的患病率及其危险因素的流行病学调查

目的探讨东北地区成人脂肪肝的流行病学特征及其危险因素。方法选取2009年1月~2009年12月具有完整资料的某体检中心的健康体检者15 635例,其中男9 037例,女6 598例,男女之比为1.37：1,年龄16~95岁,平均年龄（47.85±13.21）岁。通过性别、年龄分层后比较脂肪肝的患病率,并将脂肪肝患者的体质量指数、血压、血脂、血糖、尿酸、血常规、肝功能等检测结果与非脂肪肝组进行对比分析。结果 B超共检出脂肪肝患者5 955例,总患病率为38.1%,男性患病率显著高于女性（48.8%vs23.4%,χ2=1039.853,P〈0.001）;30~69岁的男性脂肪肝的患病率超过50%,尤以40~49岁最高（55.2%）,女性在39岁之前脂肪肝的发生率不足10%,50岁后骤然上升至35%以上,60~69岁达到高峰并超过男性（43.4%vs40.5%）,70岁以后女性脂肪肝患病率仍显著高于同龄男性（35.5%vs28.3%,χ2=7.670,P〈0.006）。非脂肪肝人群超重者占35.6%,肥胖占7.5%,而脂肪肝人群两者分别为51.0%,36.8%。脂肪肝组的血压、血糖、甘油三酯（TG）等增高的检出率明显高于非脂肪肝组,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）降低的检出率明显低于非脂肪肝组（P均〈0.001）。单因素分析显示,体质量指数（BMI）、收缩压、TG、空腹血糖（FBG）和血尿酸（UA）,以及γ谷氨酰基转移酶和丙氨酸氨基转移酶在脂肪肝组明显高于非脂肪肝组（P均〈0.001）;相反,HDL-C则显著低于非脂肪肝组（t=47.174,P〈0.001）。多因素Logistic回归分析提示,脂肪肝危险因素包括BMI、TG、UA、FBG、舒张压、胆固醇等,OR值分别为3.590、1.936、1.567、1.508、1.346和1.177。结论东北地区城市男女脂肪肝的发生率在各年龄段有明显差异,脂肪肝的发生与代谢综合征的组分明显相关,尿酸的增高也与脂肪肝的发生明显相关。     

Risk factors for declining ankle-brachial index in men and women 65 years or older: the Cardiovascular Health Study

BACKGROUND: An ankle-brachial index (ABI) of less than 0.9 is a noninvasive measure of lower extremity arterial disease and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Little information is available on longitudinal change in ABI or on risk factors for declining ABI in a community-based population. METHODS: To assess risk factors for ABI decline, we studied 5888 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study cohort (men and women 65 years or older). We measured ABI in 1992-1993 and again in 1998-1999. At baseline, we excluded individuals with an ABI less than 0.9, ABI greater than 1.4, or confirmed symptomatic lower extremity arterial disease (n = 823). The group with ABI decline included 218 participants with decline greater than 0.15 and to 0.9 or less. The comparison group comprised the remaining 2071 participants with follow-up ABI. RESULTS: The percentage of participants with ABI decline was 9.5% over 6 years of follow-up. The mean +/- SD decline was 0.33 +/- 0.12 in cases of ABI decline and 0.02 +/- 0.13 in non-cases. Independent predictors of ABI decline, reported as odds ratios, were age, 1.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-2.71) for 75 to 84 years and 3.79 (95% CI, 1.36-10.5) for those older than 85 years compared with those younger than 75 years; current cigarette use, 1.74 (95% CI, 1.02-2.96); hypertension, 1.64 (95% CI, 1.18-2.28); diabetes, 1.77 (95% CI, 1.14-2.76); higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, 1.60 (95% CI, 1.03-2.51), and lipid-lowering drug use 1.74 (95% CI, 1.05-2.89). CONCLUSION: Worsening lower extremity arterial disease, assessed as ABI decline, occurred in 9.5% of this elderly cohort over 6 years and was associated with modifiable vascular disease risk factors.     

Sub-clinical vascular disease in type 2 diabetic subjects: relationship with chronic complications of diabetes and the presence of cardiovascular disease risk factors

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the association between a low ankle-brachial index (ABI), chronic complications of diabetes, and the presence of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes but without known cardiovascular disease. METHODS: We included diabetic subjects (n=923; 52% male; age range 50-85 years) without clinical evidence of coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral artery disease (PAD). A history of nephropathy, retinopathy, or neuropathy was collected from the medical records. A 12-lead electrocardiogram and ABI measurements were conducted on all study participants. RESULTS: The mean duration of diabetes was 9.6 years. Prevalence of a low ABI (<0.9) was 26.2%. Multivariate analysis indicated that factors significantly associated with a low ABI were age (OR: 1.06; 95%CI: 1.033-1.084; p<0.001), plasma triglyceride concentration (OR: 1.002; 95%CI: 1.001-1.004; p=0.006), duration of diabetes (OR: 1.029; 95%CI: 1.008-1.051; p=0.007), and smoking habit (OR: 1.755; 95%CI: 1.053-2.925; p=0.03). The presence of nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, left bundle branch block, and atrial fibrillation were all associated with a low ABI, but only renal disease remained significant after adjusting for age, duration of diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: A low ABI is highly prevalent in subjects with diabetes and is related to age, duration of diabetes, smoking habit, and hypertriglyceridemia. Although chronic complications are frequently associated with a low ABI, only renal damage is independently associated with peripheral artery disease.     

Clinical significance of a high ankle-brachial index: insights from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of a high ankle-brachial index (ABI), defined by the associated risk factor burden and ischemic risk, is largely unknown. METHODS: Using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, we categorized 14,777 participants into normal (ABI between 0.9 and 1.3) and high ABI groups (ABI>1.3, >1.4, and >1.5) and compared the risk factor profile and CVD event rates of the normal ABI group to each high ABI group. RESULTS: The prevalence of high ABI was 5.5% for ABI>1.3, 1.2% for ABI>1.4, and 0.37% for ABI>1.5. Compared with participants with a normal ABI, those with ABI>1.3 had a lower prevalence of hypertension and current smoking. The ABI>1.3 group had a greater mean body mass index, but was characterized by fewer pack years of smoking and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures than the normal ABI group. The prevalence of diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy, claudication, and coronary heart disease and mean values of fibrinogen, factor VIII activity, von Willebrand factor, lipoprotein (a), and carotid and popliteal intimal-medial thickness were similar between the two ABI groups. The risk factor profiles of the ABI>1.4 and >1.5 groups were also not statistically significantly different from that of the normal ABI group. Over a mean follow-up time of 12.2 years, the age, sex, and race-adjusted CVD event rates per 1000 person years were 8.1 in the normal ABI group, 7.6 in the ABI>1.3 group, 7.6 in the ABI>1.4 group, and 7.4 in the ABI>1.5 group. The CVD event rates of the high ABI groups were similar to that of the normal ABI group. CONCLUSION: Individuals with a high ABI are not characterized by a more adverse atherosclerosis risk factor profile and do not suffer greater CVD event rates than those with a normal ABI.     

High risk for coronary heart disease in Thiruvananthapuram city: a study of serum lipids and other risk factors

There is a trend towards increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease among Indian population. Also, little information is available on the population distribution of serum lipid components and risk factors for coronary heart disease in Kerala, a state fast turning urban. To study the serum lipid profile and the prevalence of other risk factors for coronary heart disease in the residents of an urban housing settlement in Thiruvananthapuram, fasting blood sample was collected from 206 (64%) residents above the age of 19 years and analysed for plasma glucose and various fractions of serum lipids. A detailed questionnaire on the clinical profile and history of the subjects, and measured weights and heights was also administered. Mean serum total cholesterol was 223.7 +/- 45.3 mg/dL; 223.7 +/- 44.9 mg/dL among males and 223.7 +/- 45.8 mg/dL among females. Mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was consistently higher in females in all age groups, while mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher in males till the age group 40-49 after which the pattern was reversed. Mean total cholesterol in the age range 35-64, after age standardisation, was 229.4 mg/dL. Mean serum total cholesterol was higher in this sample when compared to US population, as well as north and west Indian populations. Thirty-two percent subjects were in the highest risk category with serum cholesterol exceeding 239 mg/dL, while in the US population this fraction constituted only 18 percent. Other risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle and smoking also had a high prevalence in this population. In this settlement of urban residents in Thiruvananthapuram, serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are high. The causes are likely to be dietary. Combined with the high prevalence of other risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, smoking, diabetes and lack of exercise, this situation demands a preventive programme.     

Implications of routinely measuring Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) among patients attending at a Lipid Clinic

BackgroundLow (≤  0.90) Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) values identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease and mortality. Implications for CV risk classification from routinely measuring ABI in the context of a Lipid Clinic have not been fully investigated. We aimed to evaluate whether and to what extent routine ABI determination on top of conventional risk prediction models may modify CV risk classification.MethodsConsecutive asymptomatic non-diabetic individuals free from previous CV events attending for a first visit at a Lipid Clinic underwent routine ABI determination and conventional CV risk classification according either to national CUORE model (including age, gender, smoking, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and current use of blood pressure lowering drugs) and SCORE model for low risk countries.ResultsIn the overall sample (320 subjects, mean age 64.8 years) 77 subjects (24.1%) were found to have low ABI value. Forty-two of 250 subjects (16.8%) and 47 of 215 individuals (21.3%) at low or moderate risk according to the CUORE and SCORE models, respectively, were found to have low ABI values, and should be reclassified at high risk.ConclusionIn a series of consecutive asymptomatic individuals in a Lipid Clinic, we observed a high prevalence of low ABI values among subjects deemed at low or moderate risk on conventional prediction models, leading to CV high-risk reclassification of roughly one fifth of patients. These findings reinforce recommendations for routine determination of ABI at least within referral primary prevention settings.     

北京地区25～64岁人群15年血清总胆固醇水平的变化趋势

目的分析北京地区25～64岁人群1984-1999年15年中,血清总胆固醇（TC）水平的变化趋势以及在不同亚组人群中的变化特点。方法1984-1999年间在北京地区MONICA心血管病监测人群中,对25～64岁人群分别进行了5次心血管病危险因素的横断面调查。5次样本的选择均按男女两性、10岁1个年龄组进行分层随机抽取。结果（1）15年间,25～64岁组人群平均血清TC水平增加1．058mmol／L（25．1％）,其中,25～34岁组增加的幅度最大,为0．998mmol／L（25．9％）;城市人群的平均TC水平高于农村人群,而15年间平均TC水平的增加幅度农村人群（32．8％）高于城市人群（26．3％）。（2）高TC血症患病率从1984年的6．1％增加到1999年的29．9％,15年间增加了23．8％,男性25～34岁组的患病率最低,但15年间的增加幅度最高,1999年为1984年的16．4倍。结论15年来北京地区人群平均TC水平及高TC血症患病率均呈持续增加趋势,农村人群及男性25～34岁年龄组的增加幅度尤为显著。     

A history of hypercholesterolemia influences cholesterol measurements

Elevated plasma cholesterol levels identified during cholesterol screening are often lower when repeated because of the regression to the mean effect. We evaluated the effect of the presence or absence of a history of hypercholesterolemia on the regression to the mean phenomenon. Of 564 volunteers undergoing cholesterol screening, 53 subjects between the ages of 20 and 65 years found to have total plasma cholesterol levels above the 90th percentile for age and sex returned for a second determination. No dietary or behavioral changes occurred during the study. Individuals with a history of hypercholesterolemia showed no change in plasma cholesterol level between the first and second visits; however, a net 13.1% reduction in mean plasma cholesterol level was observed in the group without this history, with 59% of subjects dropping below the 90th percentile level. These findings demonstrate that the regression to the mean effect is confined to those individuals who do not report a history of hyperlipidemia. Subjects with this history are more likely to have their initial cholesterol elevation confirmed when the test is repeated.     

The prevalence of hyperlipidemia in women and its association with use of oral contraceptives, sex hormone replacement therapy and nonlipid coronary artery disease risk factors. Canadian Heart Health Surveys Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence of lipid and nonlipid coronary artery disease risk factors in women classified by use of oral contraceptives or sex hormone replacement therapy. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A population-based cross-sectional survey in nine Canadian provinces (not including Nova Scotia) between 1988 and 1992 invited 13,506 women aged 18 to 74 years to participate. During a clinic visit after a home interview, a blood sample was obtained following a fast of 8 h or more from 8637 women. OUTCOME MEASURES: Fasting plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking status, self-reported diabetes, and self-reported use of oral contraceptive or sex hormone replacement therapy pills. MAIN RESULTS: The prevalence of oral contraceptive use was 41% for women 18 to 24 years old and 20% for women 25 to 34 years old. The prevalence of sex hormone replacement therapy was 4% for women 35 to 44 years old, 20% for women 45 to 64 years old and 11% for women 65 to 74 years old. Users of sex hormone replacement therapy aged 35 to 44 years had slightly higher mean LDL cholesterol than nonusers (3.04 versus 2.89 mmol/L). Users and nonusers aged 45 to 54 years had similar LDL cholesterol levels, and users aged 55 to 64 and 65 to 74 years had lower LDL cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol levels, respectively, than nonusers. Triglyceride levels were higher in oral contraceptive users and in younger women on sex hormone replacement therapy than in nonusers. In the general population of Canada the use of oral contraceptives in women less than age 35 years had only a marginal effect on the prevalence of lipid and nonlipid risk factors. Women aged 18 to 24 years using oral contraceptives had a higher mean LDL cholesterol level of 2.73 versus 2.35 mmol/L for nonusers. The prevalence of lipid and nonlipid risk factors in women using sex hormone replacement therapy increased slightly for those aged 35 to 54 years and decreased in women aged 55 to 74 years. A lower percentage of women using sex hormone replacement therapy, aged 55 to 74 years, had high risk LDL cholesterol levels (21% versus 36% for nonusers). A larger percentage of women using sex hormone replacement therapy had low risk HDL cholesterol levels (54% versus 29% for nonusers). The nonlipid risk factor profile for women aged 35 to 54 years on sex hormone replacement therapy was less favourable than for nonusers: obesity was more common (36% versus 28%, respectively), hypertension was higher (22% versus 12%, respectively), and the proportion of women with one or more nonlipid risk factors was higher. The nonlipid risk factor profile for women 55 to 74 years of age who were using sex hormone replacement therapy was more favourable than for nonusers: obesity was lower (31% versus 47%, respectively), smoking was lower (7% versus 16%, respectively), sedentary behaviour was lower (28% versus 37%, respectively), and fewer women had two or more of these risk factors (31% versus 52%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that women at higher risk for coronary artery disease tend to have a lower prevalence of use of sex hormone replacement therapy.     

Plasma lipids and lipoprotein reference values, and the prevalence of dyslipoproteinemia in Canadian adults. Canadian Heart Health Surveys Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: To report reference values for plasma lipids and lipoproteins in Canadian adults and the prevalence in the population of various levels of risk for coronary artery disease from dyslipoproteinemia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Population- based provincial heart health cross-sectional surveys in 10 provinces between 1986 and 1992 invited 29,855 men and women aged 18 to 74 years to participate. During a clinic visit after a home interview a blood sample was obtained following a fast of 8 h or more from 18,555 people. Plasma lipid levels were determined at the J Alick Little Lipid Research Laboratory, Toronto, with standardization of the Centers for Disease Control Lipid Standardization Program, Atlanta. OUTCOME MEASURES: Fasting plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and non-HDL-C levels. MAIN RESULTS: Mean plasma total cholesterol, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and triglyceride levels increased with age in men to a peak at around age 54 years, while in women the increases were more gradual at a lower level until age 54 years, after which they increased appreciably eventually exceeding values for men. A high percentage of adults were at increased risk for coronary artery disease: 44% had elevated total cholesterol levels above 5.2 mmol/L; 14% had LDL-C levels above 4.1 mmol/L; 8% had HDL-C values below 0.9 mmol/L; and 14% had triglyceride levels above 2.3 mmol/L. Eleven per cent of adults had both total cholesterol level above 6.2 mmol/L and LDL-C level above 4.1 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of Canadian adults at risk because of elevated plasma lipid levels strongly indicates the need for comprehensive public health programs to reduce plasma lipid levels in the population and the need to encourage physicians to treat those at high risk.