Reynolds risk score as a risk assessment tool for cardiovascular disease after 10 years: its strong relationship with blood pressure

[Comparison of SCORE and Reynolds cardiovascular risk assessments in a cohort without cardiovascular disease]

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular risk assessment may help in the identification of symptom-free subjects with high cardiovascular risk.

AIM

The author studied the correlation between SCORE and Reynolds risk assessment systems based on data from the cardiovascular risk screening program carried out in subjects without cardiovascular disease.

METHOD

Data obtained from 4462 subjects (1977 men and 2485 women; mean age, 47,4 years) were analysed. The comparison was based on risk categories of the SCORE system.

RESULTS

There was a strong correlation between the two scoring systems in the low risk population (under <2% SCORE risk the Spearman rho = 1, p < 0.001). A weak correlation was found in the medium risk group (between 3-4% the Spearman rho = 0.59-0.49, p < 0.001 and between 10-14% the Spearman rho = 0.42, ns.) and a stronger correlation in the high risk group (>15% the Spearmen rho = 0.8, p = 0.017). When correlations were analysed in gender and age categories, the weakest correlation was detected in medium risk women over 40 years of age. In cases when the differences between the two scoring systems were significant, the hsCRP levels were significantly higher (4.1 vs. 5.67 mg/L, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Introduction of hsCRP into cardiovascular risk assessments can refine the risk status of symptom-free subjects, especially among intermediate risk middle-age women (two-step risk assessment).