Prevalence, Geographic Distribution, and Geographic Variability of Major Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Spain. Pooled Analysis of Data From Population-Based Epidemiological Studies: The ERICE Study

Abstract

Introduction and objectives. To determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of major cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population. To investigate whether geographic variability exists. Methods. Data were pooled from eight cross-sectional epidemiologic studies carried out in Spain between 1992 and 2001 whose methodological quality satisfied predefined criteria. Individual data were reassessed and analyzed by age group (20-44 years, 45-64 years, and [.greaterequal] 65 years), sex, and geographic area. The study population included 19 729 individuals. Mean values and unadjusted and adjusted prevalence rates were derived for various risk factors. Results. The most common cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population were, in descending order: hypercholesterolemia (ie, total cholesterol >200 mg/dL) in46.7%, hypertension in 37.6%, smoking in 32.2%, obesity in 22.8%, and diabetes mellitus in 6.2%. The mean values for blood pressure, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycemia varied considerably with age, sex, and geographic area. The highest levels of cardiovascular risk factors were observed in Mediterranean and southeastern areas of the country and the lowest, in northern, and central areas. Conclusions. The prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors in Spain was high. Their distribution varied considerably with geographic area. Resumen Introducción y objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia y la distribución geográfica de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población española. Investigar la existencia de diferencias geográficas. Métodos. Agregación de ocho estudios epidemiológicos transversales, realizados en España entre 1992 y 2001, que superaron criterios de calidad metodológica. Reanálisis conjunto de los datos individuales por grupos de edad (20-44, 45-64 y [.greaterequal] 65 años), sexo y grandes áreas geográficas. Población de estudio: 19.729 sujetos. Estimación de valores medios y prevalencias crudas y ajustadas. Resultados. Por orden decreciente, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular más frecuentes en la población española fueron la hipercolesterolemia (colesterol total > 200 mg/dl, 46,7%), hipertensión arterial (37,6%), tabaquismo (32,2%), obesidad (22,8%) y diabetes mellitus (6,2%). Los valores medios de presión arterial, índice de masa corporal, colesterol de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad y glucemia varían ampliamente con la edad, el sexo y las áreas geográficas. La mayor carga de factores de riesgo cardiovascular se observa en las zonas sureste y mediterránea y la menor, en las áreas norte y centro. Conclusiones. En España la prevalencia de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular es elevada. Hay marcadas diferencias geográficas en su distribución.

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