Regional and temporal differences in the associations between cardiovascular disease and its classic risk factors: an analysis of 49 cohorts from 11 European countries.

Aims: The regional and temporal differences in the associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its classic risk factors are unknown. The current study examined these associations in different European regions over a 30-year period.

Methods And Results: The study sample comprised 553 818 individuals from 49 cohorts in 11 European countries (baseline: 1982-2012) who were followed up for a maximum of 10 years.

Global Effect of Modifiable Risk Factors on Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality.

Background: Five modifiable risk factors are associated with cardiovascular disease and death from any cause. Studies using individual-level data to evaluate the regional and sex-specific prevalence of the risk factors and their effect on these outcomes are lacking.

Methods: We pooled and harmonized individual-level data from 112 cohort studies conducted in 34 countries and 8 geographic regions participating in the Global Cardiovascular Risk Consortium.

Thrombotic Events after COVID-19 Vaccination in the Over-50s: Results from a Population-Based Study in Italy.

Several European countries suspended or changed recommendations for the use of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) for suspected adverse effects due to atypical blood-clotting. This research aims to identify a reference point towards the number of thrombotic events expected in the Italian population over 50 years of age who received Vaxzevria from 22 January to 12 April 2021. The venous thromboembolism (VT) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) event rates were estimated from a population-based cohort.

[Progress in cardiovascular prevention: from risk charts to polygenic risk score and precision prevention].

In the last few decades, great epidemiological studies identified the main risk factors and their causative role in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this field, the pivotal study was the Framingham Heart Study for the evaluation of classical risk factors and for the production of initial instruments of risk calculation. The Seven Countries Study of Cardiovascular Diseases was the first to compare the influence of different cultural environments on the risks of developing atherosclerosis.

Combined Influence of Waist and Hip Circumference on Risk of Death in a Large Cohort of European and Australian Adults.

Background Waist circumference and hip circumference are both strongly associated with risk of death; however, their joint association has rarely been investigated. Methods and Results The MONICA Risk, Genetics, Archiving, and Monograph (MORGAM) Project was conducted in 30 cohorts from 11 countries; 90 487 men and women, aged 30 to 74 years, predominantly white, with no history of cardiovascular disease, were recruited in 1986 to 2010 and followed up for up to 24 years. Hazard ratios were estimated using sex-specific Cox models, stratified by cohort, with age as the time scale.

[The Health Examination Survey at regional level: the Emilia-Romagna Region (Northern Italy) example].

Objectives: to assess time trend of lifestyles, cardiovascular risk factors, and prevalence of high-risk conditions in random samples of the general adult population residing in Emilia-Romagna, examined in two cross-sectional surveys conducted within the Epidemiological Cardiovascular Observatory (OEC 1998-2002) and the Epidemiological Cardiovascular Observatory/Health Examination Survey (OEC/HES 2008-2012).

Design: cross-sectional surveys conducted on random samples of general adult population stratified by gender and age group in some municipalities of Emilia-Romagna.

Settings And Participants: in Emilia-Romagna, 341 males and 354 females were examined in 1998-2002 and 307 males and 300 females were examined in 2008-2012.

Nutrients Intake in Individuals with Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetes: An Italian Survey.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether nutrients intake in an Italian adult population receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are within the recommended values proposed by dietary guidelines. Cross-sectional data from the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Observatory/Health Examination Survey in 8462 individuals 35-79 years were used. Food consumption was assessed with a self-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

Prevalence and Correlates of Statin Underuse for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults 65-79 Years of Age: The Italian Health Examination Survey 2008-2012.

Limited data are available on the prevalence and correlates of statin use for secondary cardiovascular (CV) prevention in the older adult population. We used data of older adults (65-79 years) with established atherosclerotic CV disease from the cross-sectional Italian Health Examination Survey 2008-2012 to address this issue. Lifestyles, CV risk factors, chronic diseases, and therapies were assessed using standardized procedures.

Association Between Antidepressant Medication Use and Prevalence and Control of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Italian Health Examination Survey 2008-2012.

To assess the association of antidepressant (AD) medication use with prevalence and control of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Data of older adults from the population-based Italian Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey (OEC/HES) Study 2008-2012 were used. CV risk factors were measured using standardized procedures.

Mild to moderate chronic kidney disease and functional disability in community-dwelling older adults. The Cardiovascular risk profile in Renal patients of the Italian Health Examination Survey (CARHES) study.

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) negatively impacts aging success. This study evaluates the association between CKD and functional disability, defined as limitations in performing mobility tasks, basic (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), in a population-based sample of older adults. In particular, we examined whether such a relationship extended to mild-moderate CKD stages (G1-G3ab).

Time trends in first hospitalization for heart failure in a community-based population.

Background: This study aims to assess time trends in first hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in a community-based population over the period from 1977 to 2014.

Methods: Population-based cohort study using resources from the "Martignacco project" started in 1977 and promoted by the WHO. Three thousand and sixty-six subjects were involved in the project with follow-up through December 2014.

Time Trends of High Blood Pressure Prevalence, Awareness and Control in the Italian General Population : Surveys of the National Institute of Health.

Introduction: High blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The urgency of the problem was underlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, which recommends a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised BP by 2020. A surveillance system represents a useful tool to monitor BP in the general population.

Combined use of short-term and long-term cardiovascular risk scores in primary prevention: an assessment of clinical utility.

Aims: To evaluate the clinical utility of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification based on a combined use of short-term and long-term risk scores in the primary prevention setting.

Methods: CVD-free participants 40-65 years old initially to seven population-based cohorts enrolled in northern and central Italy were stratified as 'low' (ESC-SCORE ≤ 1%), 'intermediate' (SCORE 1-4%) and 'moderate/high' short-term CVD risk (SCORE ≥ 4% or diabetes). The long-term CVD risk was estimated using the CAMUNI-MATISS model, validated for the Italian population.

Cardiovascular health of the elderly.

Within the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 426 men and 376 women, ages 75-79 years, randomly selected from the general population were examined. Participation rate was 50%; within men 78% were hypertensives, 36% had high serum cholesterol, 28% were diabetics, 25% were obese; within women 81% were hypertensives, 55% had high cholesterol, 19% were diabetics, 37% were obese. Preventive actions at individual and community level are urgent, also at this age range.

Simplifying the audit of risk factor recording and control: A report from an international study in 11 countries.

Background: To simplify the assessment of the recording and control of coronary heart disease risk factors in different countries and regions.

Design: The SUrvey of Risk Factors (SURF) is an international clinical audit.

Methods: Data on consecutive patients with established coronary heart disease from countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East were collected on a one-page collection sheet or electronically during routine clinic visits.

[Eating behaviours of italian adults: results of the Osservatorio epidemiologico cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey].

Objectives: to describe eating behaviours of the Italian adult population collected by the Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey during 2008- 2012.

Design: cross-sectional survey conducted in all Italian regions; random samples of the general population, stratified by age and sex, in 23 municipalities, 220 persons every 1.5 million people.

Geographic and socioeconomic variation of sodium and potassium intake in Italy: results from the MINISAL-GIRCSI programme.

Objectives: To assess geographic and socioeconomic gradients in sodium and potassium intake in Italy.

Setting: Cross-sectional survey in Italy.

Participants: 3857 men and women, aged 39-79 years, randomly sampled in 20 regions (as part of a National cardiovascular survey of 8714 men and women).

Cardiovascular health in Italy. Ten-year surveillance of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors: Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 1998-2012.

Background: Surveillance of and monitoring trends for cardiovascular diseases and risk factors are relevant when we consider that these diseases and conditions are largely preventable. The aim of this paper is to assess time trends of cardiovascular diseases, lifestyles, risk factors and high risk conditions in different socioeconomic levels.

Methods: Paired but independent population samples of men and women aged 35-74 years located in all 20 Italian regions were examined in 1998-2002 (n = 9612) and in 2008-2012 (n = 8141).

Association of lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors with lung function in a sample of the adult Italian population: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Some epidemiological studies have identified high values of pulmonary functions as an indicator of good health. At present little is known about the distribution of these characteristics in the general adult population.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe pulmonary function in the Italian general population and to evaluate its association with some lifestyle and cardiovascular risk conditions using data of the OEC/HES (Cardiovascular Epidemiology Observatory/Health Examination Survey) Project, a cross-sectional survey based on the examination of random samples of the general population.