The Maracaibo Aging Study: Population and Methodological Issues

Abstract

The Maracaibo Aging Study is a longitudinal, population-based, one-step multidisciplinary study of age-related diseases, with a particular focus on memory-related disorders, among subjects over 55 years living in a neighborhood of the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela. Three phases were scheduled for this study. First, a door-to-door survey was conducted in order to build a registry and to obtain general and sociodemographic characteristics. During the second phase, information regarding changes in the abilities of the subjects was collected. The third phase consisted of a full neuropsychiatric examination, cardiovascular evaluation, nutritional assessment, neuropsychological testing, routine laboratory tests and genetic analysis. 3,657 subjects were surveyed between January and August, 1998. There were more women than men, and the average number of years of formal education was low, particularly among women. The limitations and strengths of the study are discussed.

Prevalence, Treatment, and Control Rates of Conventional and Ambulatory Hypertension Across 10 Populations in 3 Continents

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Studies qualified for inclusion if they involved a random population sample, if baseline information was available on the conventional and ambulatory BPs and cardiovascular risk factors, and if subsequent follow-up included both fatal and nonfatal outcomes. All studies received ethical approval, and participants gave written informed consent.…”

“…Trained observers measured the conventional BP with a manual mercury sphygmomanometer 14,16,[19][20][21] , an automated device based on the Korotkoff sound technique (USM-700F; UEDA Electronic Works, Tokyo, Japan), 15 or automated oscillometric devices (OMRON HEM-705CP, Omron Healthcare, Kyoto, Japan and Dinamap 8100, Critikon Inc, Tampa, FL), 18,22 using the appropriate cuff size, with the subjects in the sitting position. Conventional BP was the average of 2 14-21 or 3 22 consecutive readings obtained either at the participants' homes 16,[18][19][20][21] or at an examination center.…”

“…Conventional BP was the average of 2 14-21 or 3 22 consecutive readings obtained either at the participants' homes 16,[18][19][20][21] or at an examination center. 14,15,22 Terminal digit preference was limited, suggesting accurate BP measurements (Table S1 in the online-only Data Supplement). We programmed portable monitors to obtain ambulatory BP readings at 30-minute intervals throughout the entire day or at intervals ranging from 15 to 30 minutes during daytime and from 20 to 45 minutes at night (Table S2).…”

“…We programmed portable monitors to obtain ambulatory BP readings at 30-minute intervals throughout the entire day or at intervals ranging from 15 to 30 minutes during daytime and from 20 to 45 minutes at night (Table S2). The monitors used an oscillometric technique (SpaceLabs 90202 and 90207; SpaceLabs Inc, Redmond, WA) in Noorderkempen, 16 EPOGH (European Project on Genes in Hypertension), 20,21 Montevideo, 18 Maracaibo, 22 and JingNing. 19 Takeda TM-2421 recorders (A&D, Tokyo, Japan) and the ABPM-630 devices (Nippon Colin, Komaki, Japan), used in Copenhagen 14 and Ohasama, 15 respectively, implemented both oscillometric and auscultatory techniques, but we analyzed only the oscillometric data.…”

High Prevalence of Dementia in a Caribbean Population

“…The results of studies in Caribbean countries could influence public health policies in a region where the proportion of elderly people is growing rapidly but resources allocated for chronic care are scarce [6,7] . The present study used data from the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS) [8] to assess the prevalence, types and severity of dementia among elderly people ( 6 55 years) in an urban area on the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, and to determine the gender and age distribution of affected people.…”