Cardiovascular risk factors in the Japanese northeastern rural population.
BACKGROUND
People living in the northeastern part of Japan have high prevalences of hypertension and stroke. The current status of cardiovascular risk factors in them should be elucidated.


METHODS
The survey was carried out from 2002 to 2004 in the northeastern part of the main island of Japan. A total of 26,472 Japanese men and women were enrolled (acceptance rate: 84.5%). Sex- and age-specific prevalences of cardiovascular risk factors were determined. Mean values of predictive markers (high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and microalbuminuria) were also determined in each group. Risk factor-related variables in non-hypertensive subjects and hypertensive subjects were compared.


RESULTS
Proportions of subjects with hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were 46.0%, 7.6%, and 30.3%, respectively, in males and 38.6%, 4.0%, and 38.5%, respectively, in females. Mean values of hsCRP and BNP were 1.41 mg/L and 26.5 pg/mL, respectively, in males and 1.01 mg/L and 23.7 pg/mL, respectively, in females. Proportions of male and female subjects with microalbuminuria were 22.0% and 23.4%, respectively. These markers become higher with advance of age. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 1.56%, and it increased with advance of age in both men and women. High prevalences of cardiovascular risk factors in this area were found. Hypertensive subjects who did not take anti-hypertension medication accounted for about 20% of total subjects and their blood pressure remained poorly controlled.


CONCLUSIONS
Attention should be given to cardiovascular risk factors in the Japanese northeastern rural population.
Ohsawa
Masaki
M
Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Japan. masakio@iwate-med.ac.jp
Itai
Kazuyoshi
K
Tanno
Kozo
K
Onoda
Toshiyuki
T
Ogawa
Akira
A
Nakamura
Motoyuki
M
Kuribayashi
Toru
T
Yoshida
Yuki
Y
Kawamura
Kazuko
K
Sasaki
Satoshi
S
Sakata
Kiyomi
K
Okayama
Akira
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers