Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of affected by the toxic oil syndrome
Gómez de la Cámara, Aín.; Gómez Mateos, M.Angeles.; Ferrando Vivas, P.; Barianca Oyagüe, M.Teresa.; Abiatua Borda, I.; Posada de la Paz, M.
Medicina Clinica 121(11): 405-407
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 14563269 Document Number: 554581
Background and objective: During the first stages of the toxic oil syndrome (TOS), elevations of blood pressure as well as increases in cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides levels were reported. Here, we analysed these cardiovascular risk factors in the chronic phase of the illness and their distribution according to the severity of the illness. We also compared them with those found in the general population. Patients and method: We studied a sample of 1862 individuals aged 35-65 years. A medical examination was performed in each and blood pressure, weight, height, tobacco consumption, cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides levels were measured. Results: The prevalence of hypertension (>140/90 mmHg) was 46.1% and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (>126 mg/dl) was 9.1%. The prevalence of obesity (BMI >30) was 24.9%. There were 11.8% patients with hypertriglyceridaemia (>200 mg/dl) and 19.8% with hypercholesterolaemia (>250 mg/dl). Overall, 37.9% were smokers. The standardized prevalence rate of hypertension was 1.35 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28-1.44); of tobacco consumption was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.20-1.36); and of hypercholesterolaemia was 1.10 (95% CI, 1.01-1.21). The prevalence of risk factors was higher among the most seriously affected subjects. Conclusion: The chronic phase of TOS is characterized by a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, which was significantly higher than that expected in the general population.