Prevalence, geographic distribution and geographic variability of major cardiovascular risk factors in Spain. Pooled analysis of data from population-based epidemiological studies: the ERICE Study.

Introduction And Objectives: To determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of major cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population. To investigate whether geographic variability exists.

Methods: Data were pooled from eight cross-sectional epidemiologic studies carried out in Spain between 1992 and 2001 whose methodological quality satisfied predefined criteria.

Using ankle-brachial index to detect peripheral arterial disease: prevalence and associated risk factors in a random population sample.

Background And Aim: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is being used increasingly to diagnose peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of PAD and associated risk factors in a Spanish random population sample of age > or =40.

Methods And Results: PAD is defined as an ABI<0.

[Different uses of home blood pressure measurement in the diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension].

Objective: To find differences between measurements of clinical blood pressure and self-monitored home blood pressure measurement (HBPM).

Design: Descriptive study developed in a general population census.

Setting: Primary care.

Home-based self-measurement of blood pressure: a proposal using new reference values (the PURAS study).

Objectives: To establish reference values for blood pressure by means of self-measurement of blood pressure (BP) conducted at home.

Design: Descriptive study of the distribution of self-measured BP at home and its correspondence with clinic-based measurements of BP.

Methods: The aim of this study is to define the home BP levels that correspond to clinic BP thresholds 140/90 mmHg (hypertension) and 130/85 mmHg (normality).