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Background:To describe the characteristics of patients ≤40 years of age hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome, analyze the risk factors and identify the variables associated with prognosis.Methods:Case series of patients admitted between 2003 and 2012 inclusive in a tertiary hospital (123 consecutive cases admitted between 2003 and 2012), and case-control study (369 controls selected from the general population matched for sex and age with cases, at a ratio of 3:1). Outcome variables: Mortality, likelihood of survival without readmission for heart-related problems, extent of coronary disease as determined by coronary angiography and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Mean age was 35.4±4.8 years and 83.7% of the participants were men. Myocardial infarction with abnormal Q wave (48%) and single-vessel involvement (44.7%) predominated. Intrahospital mortality was 1.6%. For the 108 patients eventually included in the follow-up, likelihood of readmission-free survival after 60 months was 69.3±4.8%. In the case group 36% of the patients admitted to using cocaine. Compared to controls, the prevalence in patients was higher for smoking (74.8 vs 33.1%, p<0001), diabetes (14.6% vs 5.1%, p=0.001), low HDL-cholesterol (82.9 vs 34.1%, p<0.001) and obesity (30.0 vs 20.3%, p=0.029). Decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio=2.2, p=0.033) and smoking (odds ratio=7.8, p=0.045) were associated with readmission for coronary syndrome.Conclusion: Acute coronary syndrome in people younger than 40 years is associated with diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle: smoking, sedentary behavior (low HDL-cholesterol), cocaine use and obesity. The readmission rate is high, and readmission is associated with smoking and decreased ejection fraction.

Objective: To analyse the association between serum C-peptide and coronary artery disease in the general population. Methods: Follow-up study of 6630 adults from the general population. They were stratified into group 1 (no insulin resistance: C-peptide < third tercile and glycaemia < 100 mg/dL), group 2 (initial insulin resistance: C-peptide ⩾ third tercile and glycaemia < 100 mg/dL) and group 3 (advanced insulin resistance: glycaemia ⩾ 100 mg/dL). Results: After 3.5 years of follow-up, group 2 had a higher incidence of myocardial infarction (relative risk (RR) = 4.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7-10.6) and coronary artery disease (RR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.9-6.6) than group 1. Group 3 also had increased incidences of both diseases. In multivariable analysis of the entire population, groups 2 and 3 showed significant risks of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease (RR > 3 and RR > 2, respectively). However, when people with diabetes were excluded, the increased risks were corroborated only in group 2 for myocardial infarction (RR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1-6.9; p = 0.025) and coronary artery disease (RR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.3-4.6; p = 0.007). Conclusion: Elevated C-peptide is associated with the incidence of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease in the general population. It can be an earlier predictor of coronary events than impaired fasting glucose.

A person’s physical and social environment is considered as an influencing factor in terms of rates of engagement in physical activity. This study analyses the influence of socio-demographic, physical and social environmental factors on physical activity reported in the adult population in Andalusia. This is a cross-sectional study using data collected in the Andalusia Health Survey in 1999 and 2003. In addition to the influence of the individual’s characteristics, if there are no green spaces in the neighbourhood it is less likely that men and women will take exercise (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.13, 1.41). Likewise, a higher local illiteracy rate also has a negative influence on exercise habits in men (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.21, 1.59) and in women (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.40). Physical activity is influenced by individuals’ characteristics as well as by their social and physical environment, the most disadvantaged groups are less likely to engage in physical activity.