[The 1990 Bochum cholesterol and blood screening program. Incidence and degree of treatment of cardiovascular risk factors].

Study: Over a four-week period, 1,454 inhabitants of the town of Bochum (567 men = 39%, 887 women = 61%) were screened for cardiovascular risk factors. The sample was recruited from voluntary participants, two-thirds of whom were aged between 50 and 69.

Results: Age-adjusted mean total plasma cholesterol levels were 223 mg/dl for women, and 218 mg/dl for men. Age-adjusted mean systolic blood pressure were 136.7 mmHg for women, and 140.8 mmHg for men. The corresponding diastolic levels were 85.0 mmHg for women and 87.8 mmHg for men. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (greater than or equal to 250 mg/dl) was 32.8%, that of hypertension (greater than or equal to 160/95 mmHg) was 32.7%. Age- and sex-specific mean figures and prevalences were lower for total cholesterol and markedly higher for blood pressure as compared with representative German studies. Previously unknown hypertension (greater than or equal to 160 mmHg systolic and/or greater than or equal to 95 mmHg diastolic) was detected in 10%, and hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol greater than or equal to 250 mgdl) in 16%. A reply postcard was received from the family doctors of only 11% of participants with elevated levels. This means that the follow-up rate remained far below the hoped-for level.

Conclusions: Population screening can be useful in promoting primary and secondary cardiovascular disease by alerting the population to classical risk factors and informing participants about their own personal situation. In order to motivate individuals with high risk factors to act upon this information, screening should be associated with follow-up.