Assessment of global cardiovascular risk and risk factors in Portugal according to the SCORE® model

• Published in: Journal of public health Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. 361 - 367
• Main Authors: de Oliveira Martins, Sofia, Serra e Silva, Polybio, Papoila, Ana Luisa, Caramona, Margarida, Foppe van Mil, Jan W., Cabrita, José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.10.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Epidemiology; Genetics; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Health risks; Hypertension; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Miscellaneous; Mortality; Original Article; Public Health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk factors; Portugal; Europe; Cardiovascular risk estimation; Cardiovascular risk factors; Epidemiology; Portugal; SCORE® risk chart; Cardiovascular disease; Risk analysis; Etiology; Mortality; Risk factor
• ISSN: 0943-1853; 2198-1833; 1613-2238
• DOI: 10.1007/s10389-008-0183-z

Background/objective Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in European countries. This study aimed at estimating the 10-year risk of fatal CVD in Portuguese adults and to assess the prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors, according to the SCORE® risk prediction system. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 60 community pharmacies (CP) from October 2005 to January 2006 in a sample of CP users (≥40 and ≤65 years). Data were collected by patient interviews using a structured questionnaire applied by a trained pharmacist. Results A total of 1,043 individuals were enrolled in the study (participation rate: 91%). The mean age was 53.7 years (SD: 7.1) with a ratio men/women of 0.68. The average risk in the sample was 1.94 (minimum 0, maximum 28, SD =2.69). About 20% of the studied adults were at high risk, of which 39.4% were asymptomatic. CV risk was significantly higher in the oldest age group and in men (p < 0.05). The prevalence of main CV risk factors was: hypertension-54.8%; hypercholesterolemia-63.1%, diabetes-13.4%; smoking-10.4% and obesity–29.0%. About 1/3 of those asked had family history of premature CVD. Mean values of biochemical and clinical parameters were: systolic blood pressure (mmHg): 134.8 ± 19.7; diastolic blood pressure (mmHg): 81.0 ± 11.4; total cholesterol (mg/dl): 193.8 ± 34.6; body mass index (kg/m 2 ): 28.0 ± 4.5. Conclusions According to SCORE®, about one-fifth of the individuals was classified as high risk, and 7.7% was asymptomatic. CV risk was significantly higher in the oldest age group (55–65 years old) and in men (p < 0.05). These results show a high prevalence of some risk factors, particularly hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.