Prevalence of altered total cholesterol and fractions in the Brazilian adult population: National Health Survey

Reported recommendations to address cardiovascular risk factors differ by socio-economic status in Brazil. Results from the Brazilian National Health Survey 2019

Background

Management of cardiovascular risk factors (high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension) should start by implementing a healthy lifestyle. Whereas lifestyle recommendations are provided irrespective of the patient's socio-economic status has not been recently assessed in the Brazilian population.

Aims

To assess the preventive measures against cardiovascular risk factors according to educational level and income in the Brazilian population.

Methods

Survey data of the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS). The PNS is a nationwide household-based survey carried out by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The PNS included face-to-face interviews and collected information on lifestyle management of high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension by a healthy diet, an adequate weight, exercise, and quitting smoking. The participant's educational level and income (in multiples of the basic salary per capita) was collected.

Results

Of the 88,052 participants included, 13,151 (14.9%), 6,986 (7.9%) and 22,516 (25.6%) reported being diagnosed with high cholesterol, diabetes, or hypertension, respectively. Dietary recommendations were the most frequently provided (94.5%, 94.6% and 88.1% for high cholesterol diabetes, and hypertension, respectively), while recommendations to quit smoking to current smokers were the least frequently provided (74.9%, 85.8% and 81.1% for high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension, respectively). After multivariable adjustment, participants with a higher educational level or a higher income had a higher likelihood of reporting receipt lifestyle recommendations for high cholesterol or hypertension, while no associations were found for most recommendations for diabetes.

Conclusion

Better-educated, wealthier Brazilians report receiving more lifestyle recommendations regarding high cholesterol and hypertension management more frequently than lower-educated or with low-income.

Prevalence and factors associated with possible cases of familial hypercholesterolemia in Brazilian adults: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of possible cases of FH and analyze associated factors in the adult Brazilian population. Cross-sectional study with laboratory data from the Brazilian National Health Survey, with 8521 participants. Possible cases of FH were defined according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. The prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of possible cases of FH were estimated according to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, diabetes, hypertension, altered tests, treatment and self-rated health. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations. The prevalence of possible cases of FH was 0.96%, higher in women, between 45 and 59 years, white race/skin color and others, less education, people with diabetes, hypertension and total cholesterol ≥ 310 mg/dL. The presence of FH was positively associated with regular self-rated health (OR 1.96; 95% CI 0.99-3.84), poor/very poor (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.30-7.03) and negatively with black race/skin color (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.02-0.46) and complete elementary school, incomplete high school (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.23-0.98) and complete high school and more (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.21-0.95). FH affects 1:104 Brazilian adults, these findings contribute to understanding the burden of disease in Brazil. Due to the scarcity of studies on FH in low- and middle-income countries, further studies are desirable.

Determining Percentiles of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk According to Sex and Age in a Healthy Brazilian Population

BACKGROUND

Expressing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as percentiles of the distribution according to sex and age may provide a better perception of the risk.

OBJECTIVES

To determine percentiles of the 10-year ASCVD risk distribution according to sex and age in a sample of the Brazilian population; to characterize individuals at low 10-year risk but high risk percentile.

METHODS

We analyzed individuals aged 40 to 75 years who underwent routine health evaluations from 2010 to 2020. Persons with known clinical ASCVD, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or LDL-cholesterol ≥ 190 mg/dL were excluded. The 10-year ASCVD risk was calculated by the ACC/AHA pooled cohort equations. Local polynomial regression was used to determine risk percentiles. Two-sided p-values < 0.050 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Our sample comprised 54,145 visits (72% male, median age [interquartile range] 48 [43, 53] years). We constructed sex-specific graphs plotting age against ASCVD risk corresponding to the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles. Most males up to 47 years and females up to 59 years above the 75th percentile had a 10-year risk < 5%. Individuals at low 10-year risk and risk percentile ≥ 75th had a high prevalence of excess weight and median (interquartile range) LDL-cholesterol levels 136 (109, 158) mg/dL (males) and 126 (105, 147) mg/dL (females).

CONCLUSIONS

We established ASCVD risk percentiles according to sex and age in a large sample of the Brazilian population. This approach may increase risk awareness and help identify younger persons at low 10-year risk who may benefit from more aggressive risk factor control.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia and associated factors among adults in Jordan: Results of a national cross-sectional survey in 2019

•

The national prevalence of dyslipidemia was 81.6%,

•

Among those with dyslipidemia, 9.3% were aware,

•

Among those who knew, the proportion of lipid-lowering drug treatment was 50.3%,

•

Among those taking lipid-lowering drugs, 25.4% had their dyslipidemia controlled.

Dyslipidaemia is increasing with low awareness and treatment in low resourced countries.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence, distribution, and correlates of dyslipidaemia and its awareness, treatment, and control among people (18–69 years) in Jordan.

In a national cross-sectional survey, a total of 3,132 individuals (mean age: 41.7 years) that took part in the Jordan cross-sectional STEPS survey in 2019 and had complete lipid measurements. Dyslipidemia was defined using the guidelines of the Adult Treatment Panel III.

The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 81.6%, 74.0% low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 28.2% high triglyceride (TG), 10.1% high total cholesterol (TC) and 8.7% high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Among those with dyslipidaemia, 9.3% were aware. Among those who knew, the proportion of lipid-lowering drug treatment was 50.3%, and among those taking lipid-lowering drugs, 25.4% had their dyslipidaemia controlled. In adjusted logistic regression, in both sexes, overweight (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.49–3.36), obesity (AOR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.55–3.94), diabetes (AOR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.30–5.34) were positively and moderate physical activity (AOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37–0.95) was negatively associated with prevalence of dyslipidemia. Older age, overweight, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease were positively associated, and moderate physical activity was negatively associated with awareness of dyslipidemia.

Four out of five adults in Jordan had dyslipidaemia and less than one in ten were aware. Several factors associated with the prevalence, awareness, and treatment of dyslipidaemia were identified that can be used to target public health interventions.

National high prevalence, and low awareness, treatment and control of dyslipidaemia among people aged 15-69 years in Mongolia in 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence, distribution and correlates of dyslipidaemia among people (15-69 years) in Mongolia. National data were analyzed from 4,895 individuals (15-69 years, median age = 35 years) that took part in the Mongolia cross-sectional STEPS survey in 2019, and had complete lipid measurements. Dyslipidaemia was defined using the guidelines of the Adult Treatment Panel III. The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 58.6%, 31.7% high triglycerides (TG), 26.9% high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), 26.9% high total cholesterol (TC) and 14.6% low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Among those with dyslipidaemia, 6.2% were aware. Among those who were aware, the proportion of lipid-lowering drug treatment was 18.9% and among those who took lipid-lowering drugs, 21.5% had their dyslipidaemia controlled. In adjusted logistic regression, older age (40-69 years) (AOR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.40), urban residence (AOR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.48), obesity call II (AOR: 2.89, 95% CI 2.29-3.66), hypertension (AOR: 1.33, 95% CI 1.11-1.59), and diabetes (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.20-2.18) were positively, and male sex (AOR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-1.00) was negatively associated with dyslipidaemia prevalence. Six in ten Mongolians 15 years and older had dyslipidaemia. Several factors associated with dyslipidaemia that can be used to target public health interventions were identified.

Challenges faced by patients with dyslipidemia and systemic arterial hypertension in Brazil: a design of the patient journey

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Non-communicable diseases like systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and dyslipidemia are poorly studied in terms of patient journey aspects. This semi-systematic review provides evidence synthesis for the management of SAH and dyslipidemia in Brazil and also discusses challenges faced by patients at the local level along with a suggested care approach by local experts.

METHODS

A semi-systematic review using both structured literature databases (Embase and Medline) and unstructured scientific records (WHO, IPD, MOH and Google) on hypertension and dyslipidemia in the English language from 2010 to 2019 was performed by reviewers. After two-level screening based on pre-defined criteria, patient journey touchpoints and prevalence information were extracted from the included articles. Data gaps were bridged through the insights of local experts.

RESULTS

Prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia in Brazil were 23% and 40.8%, respectively. Awareness of dyslipidemia was found in a larger proportion (58.1%) than in SAH (22.2%). Similarly, screening for hypertension (97%) and dyslipidemia (55.4%) were found to be effective, while treatment was (62.9%) and (30.0%) for hypertension and dyslipidemia, respectively.

CONCLUSION

There were important gaps on patient awareness and treatment of dyslipidemia and hypertension. Limited patient education, regional disease distribution, and treatment allocation, along with limited resources for diagnosis and treatment are the key challenges.

Metabolic comorbidities and systemic arterial hypertension: the challenge faced by HIV patientson long-term use of antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to estimate the frequency of comorbidities and assess its relationship with exposure factors after a long-term of ART use.

METHODS

: A cross-sectional study with PLHIV (≥18 years-old), who initiated ART between 2001-2005 and attended an HIV/AIDS public-referral center (Belo Horizonte/Brazil) was performed. Demographic, clinical, therapeutic and lifestyle data were obtained through interviews, medical charts, public database, routine laboratory exams and bone densitometry. The outcome was the number of comorbidities: hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, systemic arterial-hypertension (SAH) and low bone mineral density (BMD). Absolute/relative frequencies were calculated. Factors associated with the outcome were assessed by quasi-Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of the 98 participants, 53% were male, 79% over 43 years-old. Moderate physical-activity was observed in 82%, overweight/obesity in 50% and 58% used ART based on two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) plus one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). After a mean of 15.6 years of ART exposure, 207 comorbidities were identified and 93% participants presented at least one comorbidity (mean=2.1/participant). The most frequent overlapping was composed by two co-occurrences: dyslipidemia+hyperglycemia or dyslipidemia+SAH, n=36 in each co-occurrence. The quasi-Poisson regression showed an increase of 3% in the number of comorbidities per year of age (OR=1.03;95%CI=1.02-1.04) and 84% among PLHIV on moderate physical-activity (ref=heavy physical-activity) (OR=1.84;95%CI=1.08-3.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that the aging slightly contributed to comorbidities. However, the practice of physical-activities is crucial to prevent chronic-diseases. Treatment and preventive measures should be encouraged to diminish the burden of disease and improve quality of life among PLHIV.

Cardiovascular Risk Estimates in Ten Years in the Brazilian Population, a Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, resulting in high health costs and significant economic losses. The Framingham score has been widely used to stratify the cardiovascular risk of the individuals, identifying those at higher risk for the implementation of prevention measures directed to this group.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate cardiovascular risk at 10 years in the adult Brazilian population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study using laboratory data from a subsample of the National Health Survey. To calculate cardiovascular risk, the Framingham score stratified by sex was used.

RESULTS

Most women (58.4%) had low cardiovascular risk, 32.9% had medium risk and 8.7% had high risk. Among men, 36.5% had low cardiovascular risk, 41.9% had medium risk and 21.6% had high risk. The risk increased with age and was high in the low-educated population. The proportion of the components of the Framingham model, by risk and sex, shows that, among women at high risk, the indicators that mostly contributed to cardiovascular risk were: systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, diabetes and tobacco. Among men, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, tobacco and diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The study estimates, for the first time in Brazil, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in ten years. The risk score is useful to support the prevention practices of these diseases, considering the clinical and epidemiological context.

Longitudinal and nonlinear relations of dietary and Serum cholesterol in midlife with cognitive decline: results from EMCOA study

Background

Previous studies regarding the cholesterol-cognition relationship in midlife have generated conflicting results. We thus investigated whether dietary and blood cholesterol were associated with cognitive decline.

Methods

Participants were drawn from a large cohort study entitled the Effects and Mechanism Investigation of Cholesterol and Oxysterol on Alzheimer’s disease (EMCOA) study. We included 2514 participants who completed a selection of comprehensive cognitive tests and were followed for an average of 2.3 years. Blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were assessed and dietary intakes were investigated by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) was genotyped by Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) sequencing. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Non-HDL-C) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were calculated. The longitudinal effects of dietary and blood cholesterol on risk of global cognitive decline (decrease in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) > 2 points) were examined using Cox proportional hazards models. The nonlinear associations with global and domain-specific cognitive decline was evaluated with mixed effect linear models.

Results

In Cox proportional hazards models, neither cholesterol nor egg intake was associated with a higher risk of accelerated global cognitive decline. In contrast, the higher serum concentrations of TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were positively associated with accelerated global cognitive decline regardless of being evaluated continuously or categorically while higher HDL-C was positively associated with accelerated global cognitive decline only when being evaluated categorically (all P < 0.05). In mixed effect linear models, quadratic and longitudinal relations of dietary cholesterol and egg intakes to global cognition, processing speed and executive function were observed. Moreover, there were inverted U-shaped relations of HDL-C, with processing speed and executive function but U-shaped relations of HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with verbal memory. Adverse linear associations of higher LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with multiple cognitive comes were also revealed. Additionally adjusting for APOE genotype did not modify cholesterol-cognition associations. Dietary and serum cholesterol had variable associations with global and domain-specific cognitive decline across educational groups.

Conclusion

Differential associations between dietary/serum cholesterol and cognitive decline across different domains of function were observed in a particular population of middle-aged and elderly Chinese. Interventions to improve cognitive reserve regarding dietary instruction and lipid management should be tailored according to specific target.

Trial registration

EMCOA, ChiCTR-OOC-17011882, Registered 5th, July 2017-Retrospectively registered, http://www.medresman.org/uc/project/projectedit.aspx?proj=2610