[A cross-sectional survey to evaluate the cardiovascular risk profile in subjects referred to the Verona-ASL 20 general practitioners].
BACKGROUND
Most of the studies on the identification of cardiovascular risk factors have been conducted either in northern Europe or in the United States. However, genetic as well as dietary factors may vary across different countries and geographical areas and there are few data about the cardiovascular risk profile in our country.


METHODS
A sample of 3144 subjects (1463 males, 1681 females aged 35-74 years) were randomly selected among the population qualifying for healthcare assistance, registered with 170 general practitioners. Demographic data, clinical information, lab tests and current pharmacological treatments were collected using an electronic case report form.


RESULTS
The prevalences of cardiovascular risk factors in the population were: smoking habit 22.7%, obesity 12.8%, hypertension 39.2%, hypercholesterolemia 25.5%, hyperglycemia and diabetes 5.5%. Thirty-five point four percent of the subjects presented a low absolute 10-year cardiovascular risk level (< 5%), 31.1% an intermediate risk (5-9%), 24.9% a moderate risk (10-19%), and 8.6% a high risk (> or = 20%) of developing cardiovascular diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
In the area of Verona approximately 20,000 out of 231,592 subjects, aged 35-74 years, may present an absolute 10-year cardiovascular risk level > or = 20%. These results represent the epidemiological basis for planning and implementing preventive interventions toward cardiovascular diseases.
Bastarolo
Desirée
D
Medicina delle Cure Primarie e ASL 20 di Verona.
Battaggia
Alessandro
A
Blengio
Gianstefano
G
Bustacchini
Silvia
S
Celebrano
Mario
M
Danti
Guido
G
Flor
Luciano
L
Girotto
Sandro
S
Joppi
Roberta
R
Lombardo
Giuseppe
G
Mezzalira
Luigi
L
Mirandola
Mersia
M
Panfilo
Marina
M
Pescarin
Giovanni
G
Ruffo
Pierfrancesco
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects