[The prevalence of risk factors for coronary arteriosclerosis in the urban areas of the Argentine Patagonia. A multicenter study].

It is important to know the prevalence of risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis in the urban south area of Argentina in order to implement the prevention of this disease. In 330 males and 322 females of Viedma and Cipolletti (Province of Rio Negro), and Comodoro Rivadavia (Province of Chubut), we determined total cholesterol (CT), triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol (CHDL), LDL cholesterol (CLDL), uric acid (AcU), systolic pressure (PS), diastolic pressure (PD), cigarette smokers (Cig), and body mass index (BMI). Laboratories were coordinated as to methodology and quality control. Between 30 and 50 years of age, the prevalence of risk factors was greater in males than females; 27.3% of males vs 16.0 of females had CT > or = 240 mg/dl (p < 0.05), 30.5% vs 19.7%, had CLDL > or = 160 mg/dl (p < 0.05), 10.3% vs 5.9%, had CHDL < 35 mg/dl, 8.9% vs 4.2% had PS > 145 mmHg, 9.0% vs 5.9%, had PD > 90 mm Hg, 33.6% vs 23.4%, had Cig > or = 10/d (p < 0.05), 26.0% vs 13.8% had TG > 170 mg/dl (p < 0.05), 30.5% vs 22.4%, had BMI > 27 Kg/m2 (p < 0.05) (Figs. 2-3). This difference between sexes was not significant over 50 years of age, when the prevalence of factors increased in both sexes. In Figure 4, 41.5% of males and 34.5% of females had one primary risk factor, 13.0% of males and 9.9% of females had two factors and 1.5% of males had three. The following main combinations of two primary risk factors was observed: between 30 and 50 years of age, 10.3% of males and 3.7% of females had CLDL > or = 160 mg/dl and Cig > or = 10/d (p < 0.01); over 50 years, 19.5% of females and 11.8% of males had CLDL > or = 160 mg/dl and PS > 145 mm Hg (NS). We suggest that operatives of education for the prevention of high cholesterol, no smoking and control of high blood pressure, are needed specially in young men.