Plaque stability and the southern European paradox.
Differences between European countries in coronary heart disease mortality were initially described in the 20th century, and albeit less dramatic than first reported, these differences remain substantial. Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the so-called "Mediterranean paradox": a) underestimation of coronary heart disease mortality due to methodological flaws; b) the "lag time" hypothesis, and c) the traditional Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. In this manuscript we present and discuss another possible explanation for the Mediterranean paradox related to the higher prevalence and and incidence of stable atheromatous plaques in this area.
Grupo de Investigación de Epidemiología y Genética Cardiovascular, Programa de Investigación de Procesos Inflamatorios y Cardiovasculares, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, España.
Irene R
IR
Dégano
Roberto
R
Elosua
Juan C
JC
Kaski
Daniel J
DJ
Fernández-Bergés
María
M
Grau
Jaume
J
Marrugat
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology