Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and the metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men and women in Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract

BackgroundRandom samples of 50-year-old men living in Gothenburg have been examined every 10th year since 1963 with a focus on cardiovascular risk factors. The aims of the study were to acquire up-to-date information about risk factors in the fifth cohort of 50-year-old men and women, to re-examine those who were 50 years of age in 1993, and to analyse the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) using different definitions.MethodsA random sample of men and women born in 1953 were examined in 2003–2004 for cardiovascular risk factors. Men born in 1943 and that participated in the examination in 1993 were also invited. Descriptive statistics were calculated.ResultsThe participation rate among men and women born in 1953 was 60 and 67% respectively. Among men born in 1943, the participation rate was 87%. The prevalence of obesity was from 15 to 17% (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30) in the three samples. The prevalence of known diabetes was 4% among the 50-year-old men and 6% among the 60-year-old men, and 2% among the women. Increased fasting plasma glucose varied substantially from 4 to 33% depending on cut-off level and gender. Mean cholesterol was 5.4 to 5.5 mmol/l. Smoking was more common among women aged 50 (26%) than among men aged 50 (22%) and 60 years (15%). The prevalence of the MetSyn varied with the definition used: from 10 to 15.8% among the women, from 16.1 to 26% among 50-year-old men, and from 19.9 to 35% among the 60-year-old men. Only 5% of the men and women had no risk factors.ConclusionThis study provides up-to-date information about the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and the MetSyn in middle-aged Swedish men and women. Different definitions of the MetSyn create confusion regarding which definition to use.

Stroke Incidence and Mortality Rates 1987 to 2006 Related to Secular Trends of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Gothenburg, Sweden

“…23 The secular changes in cardiovascular risk factors were investigated in successive cross-sectional population samples of 50-year-old men every 10 years in Gothenburg from 1963 to 2003, 12 and in 50-year-old women from 1968 to 1969 until 2003, 19,20 as shown in Table 5. It appears that important risk factors decreased (smoking, blood pressure, and total serum cholesterol), others did not change (physical activity, mental stress, and triglycerides in women), and some increased (diabetes prevalence, body weight, BMI, as well as serum triglycerides in men).…”

“…Diabetes was of equal strength. Even though the mean blood pressure levels declined (only partly because of increased antihypertensive treatment), there was still a considerable number of both men and women who had blood pressures above the 20 This is probably the main reason for the unchanged stroke incidence and mortality. The increased diabetes prevalence and higher BMI and serum triglycerides (in men), despite declining smoking habits, may be additional reasons.…”

“…Cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Gothenburg were analyzed in representative population samples of 50-year-old men examined every tenth year from 1963 to 2003, 12 in 45-to 54-year-old 19,20 Data on smoking and treatment for hypertension were assessed via questionnaires, diabetes at examination, and through blood analyses, body variables, and blood pressure measured at examination; all laboratory tests were performed at the same accredited hospital laboratory.…”

The influence of multiple indices of socioeconomic disadvantage across the adult life course on the metabolic syndrome: the Vietnam Experience Study

“…Finally, as the sample was exclusively male, there is the issue of generalisation. However, middle-aged men are an important constituency in this context given that they have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than middle-aged Phillips, A.C., Carroll., D., Thomas, G.N., Gale, C.R., Deary, I. women [33]. Similarly, when data on metabolic syndrome were collected, the men were relatively young.…”

The Prevalence of Overgrowth by Aerobic Bacteria in the Small Intestine by Small Bowel Culture: Relationship with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

“…Body mass index (BMI) was calculated in all patients by the standard formula [8]. Before undergoing upper GI tract endoscopy, patients were asked to provide replies to a specific questionnaire trying to disclose the presence of IBS.…”