Brief Article
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World J Cardiol. Nov 26, 2013; 5(11): 420-425
Published online Nov 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i11.420
Trend in prevalence of uncontrolled total serum cholesterol for cardio-cerebro-vascular disease in a mediterranean area, 1988/89-2008/09
Vincenzo Capuano, Norman Lamaida, Ernesto Capuano, Maria Immacolata Borrelli, Rocco Capuano, Elisabetta Notari, Anna Grazia Iannone, Federica Marchese, Matteo Sonderegger, Eduardo Capuano
Vincenzo Capuano, Norman Lamaida, Ernesto Capuano, Rocco Capuano, Elisabetta Notari, Anna Grazia Iannone, Federica Marchese, Matteo Sonderegger, Eduardo Capuano, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital of Salerno-Mercato S. Severino Hospital, 30-84080 Salerno, Italy
Maria Immacolata Borrelli, Local Health Authority, 30-84080 Salerno, Italy
Author contributions: Capuano V designed the study and performed the majority of study; Borrelli MI performed the majority of study, Lamaida N involved in editing the manuscript; Capuano Er, Capuano R, Notari E, Iannone AG, Marchese F, Sonderegger M and Capuano Ed provided data collection.
Correspondence to: Vincenzo Capuano, MD, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital of Salerno-Mercato S. Severino Hospital, Via R. Livatino, Pellezzano, 30-84080 Salerno, Italy. capuanov@tiscali.it
Telephone: +39-89-9925246 Fax: +39-89-9925246
Received: August 12, 2013
Revised: September 17, 2013
Accepted: October 15, 2013
Published online: November 26, 2013
Processing time: 113 Days and 11.6 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To examine trends of uncontrolled total serum cholesterol, treatment and control in a Mediterranean region (Campania).

METHODS: We considered and compared the data collected as part of “Montecorvino Rovella Project” 1988-1989 and cross-sectional data from the two phases of the “VIP Project-Valle dell’Irno Prevenzione”: 1998-1999 (1st phase) and 2008-2009 (2nd phase), in the 35-74-year-old-population.

RESULTS: Data show a reduction of mean cholesterolemia in the last twenty years of 7.3 mg/dL for men and unchanged values for women. In the three surveys the mean values for serum cholesterol are in men: 205.2 ± 47.1 mg/dL (1988/89), 200 ± 38.9 mg/dL (1998/99) and 197.9 ± 40.2 mg/dL (2008/09); in the women: 203.1 ± 42.5 mg/dL (1988/89), 198.9 ± 37.9 mg/dL (1998/99) and 203.3 ± 39.3 mg/dL (2008/09). Prevalence of uncontrolled high cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL for men decreased from 20.8% (1988/89) to 14.3% (1998/99) and 13.9% (2008/9), P = 0.002; for women the values decreased from 19.9% (1988/89), to 18.2% (1998/99) and 18.1% (2008/09), P = 0.007. Is statistically increased the number of patients treated and those treated to target.

CONCLUSION: Encouraging increases in awareness, treatment, and control of hypercholesterolemia occurred from 1988 through 2008. Nevertheless, control of hypercholesterolemia remains poor.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet; Hypercholesterolemia; Drug; Heart disease; Southern Italy

Core tip: Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is directly related to blood cholesterol levels. CVD due to atherosclerosis is the foremost cause of premature mortality and of disability-adjusted life years in Europe, and is also increasingly common in developing countries. The objective of this study was to examine trends of high cholesterol, treatment and control in a Mediterranean region (Campania). Data show a reduction of mean cholesterol in the last twenty years of 7.3 mg/dL for men and unchanged values for women. Encouraging increases in treatment and control of hypercholesterolemia occurred from 1988 through 2008. However, control of hypercholesterolemia remains poor.