Search

Introduction: Obesity is associated to an increased risk of hypertension, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancers, and conditions including obstructive sleep apnoea and osteoarthritis. Obesity is largely preventable and one of the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention of NCDs targets is to halt its rise. Hypothesis: Between 2000 and 2016, obesity trends showed a steady increase in all WHO regions and income groups. This preliminary analysis aims to assess mean level of BMI and prevalence of obesity in the Italian general adult population using the data collected within the CUORE Project-health examination survey. Methods: Within the ongoing survey started in 2018, mean of BMI and prevalence of obesity (BMI>=30 kg/m 2 ) and overweight (252 ) were assessed in random samples of resident population, aged 35-74 years, stratified by age and sex (men 822 and women 869), from 8 Italian Regions in Northern, Central and Southern Italy. Weight and height were measured using standardized methodologies. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on education and physical inactivity. The survey is funded by the Italian Ministry of Health-CCM. Results: Mean values of BMI resulted 26.8 kg/m 2 (95% C.I. 26.5-27.1) in men and 25.9 kg/m 2 (25.6-26.3) in women. Prevalence of obesity was 19.0% (16.3-21.7) in men and 21.7% (19.0-24.5) in women; prevalence of overweight was 44.5% (41.1-47.9) in men and 28.4% (25.4-31.4) in women. Obesity levels resulted significantly higher in persons with lower education (primary or high school) vs those with higher level of education: 25.6% (20.0-31.1) vs 16.0% (13.0-19.0) in men and 32.5% (27.0-37.9) vs 16.7% (13.6-19.7) in women. Prevalence of physical inactivity during leisure time was 31.9 % (28.7-35.1) in men and 41.4% (38.2-44.7) in women. Both in men and women the prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in the Southern regions, likewise physical inactivity. Conclusions: Preliminary data of the first 8 Regions (out of 10 to be examined in the on-going survey) underline that more than half of Italian adults are in excess of weight. In comparison to data measured within the CUORE Project 10 years earlier, a slight increasing of normal weight men seems to occur moving in the direction of the WHO-NCDs obesity target.

Introduction: The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) recommends a 30% relative reduction in mean population intake of salt/sodium. To this end, the Italian Ministry of Health (MoH) has strengthened prevention and health promotion through the “Gaining health: making healthy choices easy” Programme and the National Preventive Plan (NPP) 2014-2019, with the collaboration of the Interdisciplinary Working group for Salt Reduction in Italy (GIRCSI). Hypothesis: Agreements between the MoH and the associations of artisan bakers and food industry companies were signed since 2009 to reduce the salt content in bread and in other food products. Within the NPP, initiatives as local inter-sectors agreements and information activities for the population and training for food sector operators are implemented. In order to estimate the habitual salt intake and its trend in the general adult population, national surveys, funded by the MoH-CCM, are conducted within the CUORE Project. Methods: Baseline salt intake by the use of 24h urine collections was assessed in 2008-2012 from random samples of persons aged 35-79 years, resident in all Italian 20 Regions. A new survey is ongoing (2018-2019) involving random samples of persons aged 35-74 years, resident in 10 Regions. Urinary sodium excretion is assayed by a central lab at Federico II University of Naples, subjected to strict quality controls. Comparisons are made considering, for both periods, the seven regions examined up to now in the ongoing survey and the age range of 35-74 years. Results: Within the 2018-2019 survey, mean level of sodium chloride per day in 673 men and 709 women was 161 mmol (95% confidence interval: 156-166 mmol) and 122 mmol (119-126 mmol) respectively, whereas in the 2008-2012 survey the corresponding mean levels in 642 men and 627 women was 183 mmol (95% confidence interval: 178-189 mmol) and 140 mmol (135-144 mmol), respectively. A sodium chloride intake level within the WHO recommended upper level of 85 mmol (or 5 grams of salt) per day was detected in 9% (6-11%) of men and 24% (20-27%) of women examined in 2018-2019 vs 5% (3-6%) of men and 16% (13-19%) of women examined in 2008-2012. Conclusions: These preliminary data show that the average habitual sodium intake in Italy is still largely higher than recommended but a significant reduction seems to occur. These results fully justify and encourage the ongoing preventive initiatives for reduction of sodium intake and its monitoring in the population.

Background: Health Literacy-HL is an important determinant to improve and maintain health and quality of life during life course. HL implies people’s knowledge, motivation, competencies to access, understand, appraise, apply information to make judgements and decisions in everyday life concerning healthcare, disease prevention, health promotion. Thanks to the funds of the Italian Center for Diseases Control and Prevention-CCM of the Ministry of Health, Italy joined the WHO Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy-M-POHL for collecting comparable data on HL in order to measure and promote citizens’ HL among MS. Objective: A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the M-PHOL international questionnaire HLS-EU using the Italian version of the short form (HLS-EU-Q16 items), during the CUORE Project-Health Examination Survey 2018-2019. Methods: One hundred people aged 35-74 years, resident in the South of Italy, were face-to-face interviewed following consecutive access to the HES. The 4 Likert-type responses were grouped in 2 classes: 0 (zero) for fairly difficult/very difficult and 1 for fairly easy/very easy. According to the HLS-EU-Q16 sum score (range: 0–16), three levels of HL were defined: ‘Inadequate’ (0–8), ‘Problematic’ (9–12), ‘Sufficient’ (13–16). HL mean score and standard deviation-SD were elaborated together with prevalence of the three HL levels. Socio-demographics conditions, lifestyles, risk factors were measured during the HES. Means and prevalence were age and gender standardised using the European standard population. Results: Ninety-eight persons completed the questionnaire (47 men, 51 women); HL mean score was 13.1 (SD=3.2) with no sex difference; prevalence of persons with ‘Inadequate’ HL was 11.2%, ‘Problematic’ 26.5%, ‘Sufficient’ 62.3%. For persons with the highest educational level (Tertiary) the highest prevalence was in the ‘Sufficient’ HL (20.5%); in the same HL category, only 3.4% was the prevalence of those with the lowest educational level (Primary). Hypertension was lower in the ‘Sufficient’ HL category (37.9% vs. 45.1% in the ‘Inadequate’ HL). Smoking habit decreased with increasing HL level (21.3%, 19.0%, 5.4% in the three HL categories, respectively). Conclusion: More than one third of interviewed adult population had ‘Inadequate’/’Problematic’ HL. Preliminary results from the Italian pilot of the HLS-EU-Q16 within the HES of the CUORE Project suggest that the survey is an important opportunity for the possibility of linking HL data with HES measured data. A national survey on HL will be implemented in the Italian general population in the framework of the M-POHL network.

Introduction: Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) target by 2025 for hypertension is a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure. Hypothesis: Prevalence of raised blood pressure in adults has declined in high-income countries over the past few decades; the CUORE project surveys have shown this trend also in Italy from the 1980s to the 2010s. This preliminary analysis aims to assess mean level of blood pressure and prevalence of raised blood pressure in the Italian general adult population using the data collected within the CUORE Project-health examination survey. Methods: Within the ongoing survey, started in 2018, mean of blood pressure and prevalence of raised blood pressure are assessed in random samples of resident population, aged 35-74 years, stratified by age and sex (men 822 and women 869), from 8 Italian Regions from the Northern, Central and Southern Italy. Blood pressure is measured three times consecutively by automated oscillometric device using standardized procedures and methods. Mean level of first two measurements are here considered. Raised blood pressure is defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure equal or greater than 140/90 mmHg or under specific drug treatment. The survey is funded by the Italian Ministry of Health-CCM. Results: Preliminary analysis shows a mean value of systolic blood pressure of 131 mmHg (95% C.I.130-132) in men and 122 mmHg (121-123) in women. Mean value of diastolic blood pressure is 77 mmHg (76-78) in men and 73 mmHg (72-74) in women. Prevalence of raised blood pressure is 43.3% (39.9-46.7) in men and 32.4% (29.2-35.5) in women. In men prevalence of persons with raised blood pressure and untreated is 18.5% (14.6-22.3) and 8.6% (5.4-11.7) in women. In men and women prevalence of raised blood pressure is significantly higher in the Southern regions. Conclusions: Preliminary data of first 8 Regions (out of 10 which should be examined) underline that raised blood pressure is widely present in the Italian adult population. In comparison to data measured within the CUORE Project 10 years earlier, a decrease of mean level of blood pressure and prevalence of raised blood pressure seems to occur facilitating the meeting of WHO-NCDs target.

Background: The Italian National Prevention Plan 2005-2008 included a 10-year cardiovascular risk assessment (10-CR) for the general population aged 35-69 years using the CUORE-Project risk score. GPs were encouraged to collect data on risk factors, perform a 10-CR and send data to the Cardiovascular Risk Observatory (CRO). Aim: The aim of this study is to show updated data of the ongoing surveillance system of the 10-CR in the Italian adult population, a first step to implement primary preventive actions at individual level. Methods: A training plan for GPs was launched by the Ministry of Health. Data were collected using the cuore.exe software, easily and freely downloadable by GPs from the CUORE-Project website (www.cuore.iss.it). The CRO provides a web-platform to analyze and compare data on 10-CR and risk factors at both regional and national level. In the subgroup of persons examined at least twice a year, variations in continuous risk factors mean levels and categorical risk factors prevalence between baseline and follow-up and their 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) were calculated using methods for matched pair samples. Results: By October 2019, about 3,500 GPs downloaded cuore.exe ; about 300,000 CR assessments on about 140,000 persons were sent to CRO. CR mean was 3.1% in women, 8.5% in men; 28% of men and 64% of women were at lower risk (CR Conclusions: Data demonstrate that 10-CR assessment can be an effective first step to implement preventive actions in primary care. The individual risk score is becoming a useful tool for GPs to assess their patients’ CR and promote primary prevention by focusing attention on the adoption of healthy lifestyles. These encouraging data can be used to support health policy decision processes.

Background: Individuals with low levels of cardiovascular risk factors experience low incidence of subsequent cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The aims of this study were to assess cancer incidence in people with favorable (low) CVD risk profile and its association with educational level (EL). Methods: The MATISS longitudinal cohort comprised 3609 men and 4146 women aged 20-70 years, free of CVD and cancer at baseline with validated non-fatal and fatal CVD and cancer events during a median 17.7 years of follow-up. People at baseline were classified as ‘low risk’ with total cholesterol 2 and no hypertension treatment and no diabetes and no smoking habit and ‘high risk’ (total cholesterol >=240mg/dl or blood pressure >=140/90 mmHg or BMI >=30.0 kg/m 2 or hypertension treatment, diabetes, smoking). EL was classified as low (LEL=elementary school) and middle-high (MHEL=middle/high school/university). Results: 724 cancer and 571 CVD events occurred; 22.7% of participants were ‘low risk’; 77.3% were ‘high risk; 61.5% had LEL. Cancer and CVD incidences increased with age; age-adjusted cancer and CVD incidence were higher in men compared to women (cancer: 68.92 versus 48.95 x 10,000 person-years; CVD: 64.18 versus 29.5 x 10,000 person-years). Incidences of cancer and CVD were higher in LEL (cancer: 83.22 versus 50.35 x 10,000 person-years in men and 51.67 versus 33.59 x 10,000 person-years in women; CVD: 70.07 versus 64.84 x 10,000 person-years in men and 30.72 versus 17.89 x 10,000 person-years in women). Persons with ‘low risk’ profile experienced less cancers and CVD than persons with ‘high risk (cancer: 37.66 versus 72.3 x 10,000 person-years in men and 39.57 versus 50.07 x 10,000 person-years in women; CVD: 18.49 versus 69.75 per 10,000 person-years in men and 20.34 versus 30.7 x 10,000 person-years in women). In analysis by risk profile and EL considered together for both genders rates of both CVD and cancer were highest in those with less education classified as high risk (cancer: 85.2 versus 56.13 x 10,000 person-years in men and 50.97 versus 35.12 x 10,000 person-years in women; CVD: 74.58 versus 69.06 per 10,000 person-years in men and 30.87 versus 22.69 x 10,000 person-years in women). Conclusions: Increasing educational levels and prevalence of low CVD risk profile in the general population may be effective strategies for population-wide CVD and cancer prevention.

Background: The number of elderly persons with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rapidly increasing, mainly due to worldwide aging population. All CVD risk scores consider age as risk factor but most of them assume that the etiological role of other established risk factors is similar at all ages. This analyses aimed to assess the predictive role of cardiovascular risk factors in elderly persons. Methods: We considered 10,979 men and 16,533 women aged 35-74 years from cohorts in North, Centre and South of Italy with 10 years median follow-up time for fatal and non fatal coronary and cerebrovascular events (819 in men and 467 in women) validated according to MONICA criteria. In all cohorts risk factors were assessed by using standardized procedures. Two age groups were defined: adult 35-54 years of age (6,353 men and 10,358 women) and elderly 55-74 years (4,626 men and 6,175 men). Cox models were implemented including age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), total (TC) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), smoking, diabetes (DM - fasting blood glucose >=126 mg/dl or under glucose treatment) and hypertension treatment (HT). For continuous variables, hazard ratios (HR) were reported at 1 standard deviation higher level and for dichotomized variables, yes vs no. Results: For adult men SBP resulted having a stronger impact on CVD risk than for elderly even if not statistically significant: adult HR 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.48, vs elderly HR 1.25, 1.15-1.36; similar results for TC (HR 1.47 vs 1.25), smoking (HR 1.91, vs 1.52), DM (HR 1.76 vs 1.56), HT (HR 2.30 vs 1.25). HDL-C resulted not significantly associated with CVD risk in elderly men. Among adult women a stronger impact was found than in elderly for SBP (HR 1.59 vs 1.26), HDL-C (0.65 vs 0.84), smoking (2.43 vs 1.99), and HT (2.34 vs 1.45); the opposite for TC (1.19 vs 1.27). DM resulted not significantly associated with CVD risk in adult women. Age resulted having a stronger impact in elderly persons both in men and women (HR 1.22, 1.07-1.39, vs 1.44, 1.29-1.61; 1.45, 1.17-1.80, vs 1.63, 1.42-1.86 respectively). Conclusions: SBP and HT resulted having a pronounced lower impact on CVD risk in elderly than in adult as well as HDL-C for men; age shows a stronger impact in elderly than in adult. Further analyses are recommended to study the reliability of risk scores based on age-specific risk models, evaluating the introduction of different risk factors and considering survival probability derived from data in elderly population.

Background: Strategies aiming at reducing dietary sodium are being implemented in many countries based on evidence-based knowledge supporting their cost-effectiveness for reduction of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. From 2009 to 2011 a Preventive Program of the Italian Ministry of Health has been implemented in Italy including the agreement with bread makers’ associations for the gradual reduction of the salt content in bread, public information campaigns, and the evaluation of population current dietary sodium intakes. This analyses aim to monitor dietary intake of sodium and potassium in representative samples of the Italian adult population before and after the Preventive Program. Methods: Data from random samples of persons aged 35-79 years and resident in Italian central regions were collected from October 2009 to September 2010 (299 men and 280 women) and from April to July 2012 (205 men and 210 women). Determinations of sodium and potassium were assessed in a centralized laboratory. Information on the consumption of high salt content food were collected through a questionnaire. Comparisons between mean levels and prevalences were performed using t-test and chi-squared test respectively. Results: In men, mean level of sodium chloride per day resulted 185 mmol (95% confidence interval: 177-193 mmol) in 2009-2010 samples and 161 mmol (152-169 mmol) in 2012 samples (p Conclusions: Presented data show that average daily sodium intake in central Italy is still largely higher than that recommended but a significant improvement of mean level of sodium intake and consumption of bread without salt resulted. This results fully justify and encourage the preventive initiatives for reduction of sodium intake and its monitoring in the general population.

Aims: We assess the external validation, on a “new” set of subjects, of the CAMUNI 20-year risk score, developed in a northern Italian population. Although an external validation analysis is recommended before adopting a score in clinical practice, it is rarely performed in long-term prediction equations as it requires similar long-term follow-up procedures in different cohort studies. Methods: The CAMUNI risk score was developed to estimate the 20-year risk of first coronary or ischemic stroke event, fatal or non-fatal, in 5247 (2574 men) 35-69 subjects free of CVD at baseline enrolled in late 1980s-early 1990s in Brianza, northern Italy (derivation set). The score is based on two gender-specific Cox models, including age, total- and HDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, anti-hypertensive treatment, cigarette smoking and diabetes. As validation set, we considered 5307 (2418 men) subjects enrolled in the Rome area in the same time span (MATISS Study). Both the derivation and the validation cohorts shared the same procedures for baseline risk assessment and follow-up procedures, including MONICA definition of acute events. We evaluated the performance of the CAMUNI score in the validation set; the Framingham CVD risk score was used for comparison. The absolute predicted risk from both scores was re-calibrated to the 20-year risk observed in the validation set. We report the calibration slope as a measure of calibration; a value different from 1 is suggestive of a different strength in predictor effects. The Area Under the ROC-curve (AUC) measured the discrimination ability; the AUC in the validation set was compared to the value in the derivation set, corrected for over-optimism. Results: The 20-year Kaplan-Meier risk of event was 16.1% (derivation set; 315 events) and 13.2% (validation set; 238 events) in men, and 6.1% (123 events) and 5.6% (119 events) in women. The calibration slope for the CAMUNI score did not significantly differ from 1 in men (1.1; 95% confidence interval 0.9; 1.2) nor in women (1.0; 0.8;1.2). The Framingham score performed equally well in men (1.1; 0.9; 1.2) but worse in women (1.3; 1.1;1.6). In the derivation set, the over-optimism corrected AUC for the CAMUNI model was 0.737 (men) and 0.801 (women); the corresponding figures in the validation set were 0.732 (95% CI: 0.727-0.738) in men, and 0.801 (0.794-0.808) in women. The Framingham score performed less well in men (0.722; 0.717-0.727) and in women (0.705; 0.699-0.711). Conclusions: Based on these preliminary results, the CAMUNI 20-year risk score seems to be appropriate for long-term risk prediction in Italy and, more generally, in low-incidence populations.

Background: From 2008 to 2012 an Health Examination Survey (HES)-Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare (OEC) has been implemented in Italy with the aim of assessing cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, prevalence of risk conditions and CV diseases for the Italian adult population. Methods: Random samples of general population stratified by age and sex were examined in all Italian regions (participation rate 56%). Risk factor were collected using standardized procedures and methods; biochemical tests were assayed in a central laboratory; a questionnaire investigates behaviours and CVD history; a ECG read in Minnesota code was used to define previous myocardial infarction. Comparisons between men and women were assessed using t-test for means and chi-squared test for prevalence. Results: Data of 4371 men and 4339 women ages 35-79 years were analysed. Majority of risk factors mean levels resulted higher in men than in women: systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 134 mmHg and 129 mmHg (p=140 mmHg or DBP>=90 mmHg or in treatment (p=200 mg/dl or in treatment for (p2 ) (p=30 kg/m 2 ) resulted similar in men and women: 25% and 27% respectively (p=0.0818). Prevalence of myocardial infarction was 2.1% in men and 0.7% in women (p Conclusions: At present obesity and smoking are still a priority in public health. In combination with other information sources, the OEC can contribute greatly to plan community actions and health services at national and regional level.

Background: Health Interview Survey (HIS) collects only self-reported height and weight to estimate obesity prevalence. Because of self-reporting, estimated obesity prevalence could be too low. From 2008 to 2012 an Health Examination Survey/Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare (HES/OEC) has been implemented in Italy with the aim of assessing cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, prevalence of risk conditions and CV diseases for the Italian adult population. Differences in measured and self-reported main anthropometric measures are described. Methods: Random samples of general population stratified by age and sex were examined in all Italian regions (participation rate 56%). Self-reported height and weight were requested to participants just after the welcome at the screening center. Height and weight were then measured using standardized procedures and methods. BMI was categorized in 3 groups: normal (BMI=30 kg/m2). Comparisons between measured and reported height, weight, and calculated BMI in men and women were assessed using t-test for means and chi-squared test for prevalence for paired samples. Results: Data from 2,583 men and 2,575 women aged 35-79 years were analysed. In men, measured height was lower than self-reported (-2.1 cm.), measured weight resulted higher than self-reported (+0.3 kg.); as a consequence BMI calculated on measured data resulted higher than that based on self-reported data (+0.8 kg/m2). Prevalence of obesity was higher for measured data than for self-reported (+7.1%). In men, difference between measured and self-reported height resulted higher in obese category than in the overweight or normal groups (-2.6 cm.), as well as for weight (+1.6 kg.). Similar results were registered in women: measured height was lower than self-reported (-3.6 cm.), measured weight resulted higher than self-reported (+0.8 kg.); as a consequence BMI calculated on measured data resulted higher than that based on self-reported data (+1.6 kg/m2). Prevalence of obesity was higher for measured data than for self-reported (+9.2%). Difference between measured and self-reported height resulted higher in obese category than in the overweight or normal groups (-5.0 cm.), as well as for weight (1.8 kg.). Both in men and women differences increased by age-group. Conclusions: Our results confirm how important is to produce standardised measures, also to adjust and correct self-reported height and weight, in order to have a reliable picture of obesity in the population. At present obesity is still a priority in public health and is one of the main indicator to plan community actions for cardiovascular disease prevention in the population.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer together cause more than 70% of all deaths. Both the pathologies are caused by the interaction of environmental, behavioral and genetic risk factors. For some recognized CVD risk factors (e.g. smoking and obesity) recent studies found a relation also with several cancers. It’s rare to find studies including both CVD and cancer, fatal and non fatal events. Aim: To pool data from CVD longitudinal study and cancer register to investigate possible common risk factors and verify if cardiovascular favourable risk profile is protective also for cancer in order to implement common preventive strategies at population and individual level. Methods: Men and women (ages 20–75 years) data from the Italian Progetto CUORE cohorts and from the Cancer Register implemented in the area of Latina, were pooled. Risk factors were measured and collected using the same standardized procedures and methodologies: body mass index (BMI), diabetes, metabolic syndrome (MS) (ATP-III definition), total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, educational level. In women, menopausal status and parity were included. Follow-up was conducted until December 2004 for both CVD and cancer, fatal and non fatal events. All Cox regression Hazard Ratios (HR) were adjusted by age, gender, educational level, and study. Results: In 9752 persons (5153 women and 4599 men without cardiovascular events and cancer at baseline) 628 cancer events in men and 531 in women, 504 cardiovascular events in men and 274 in women were identified during a median f-u of 18 years. Smoking resulted significantly associated with cancer risk, also when adjusted by BMI, alcohol, and MS in men (current smokers HR=1.74). In women, MS was positively associated with cancer risk, but not significantly. Persons with favorable risk profile (no smoking, BMI2 , Total Cholesterol Conclusions: There are important common risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cancers. People with favourable risk profile live longer and cost less to the Heath System. This could be a first step to identify and implement common preventive actions at population and individual level in order to reduce both cardiovascular and cancer diseases.

Background: Despite cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death and hospitalization in nearly all countries in Europe, there are paucity, weak quality and comparability of data. The periodic Health Examination Survey (HES) represents in Italy the major source of information on CVD at national level thanks to the adoption of standardized methodologies throughout the country. The aim is to present differences in trends of CVD prevalence by gender in the Italian adult population from 1998 to 2008. Methods: Randomized population samples stratified by age and sex were examined. In 1998, 9,712 men and women aged 35–74 years were enrolled in all Italian regions; ongoing screening started in 2008 is enrolling 9,020 persons. A standardized questionnaire investigates cardiovascular disease and pharmacological treatments. The anamnesis is positive when clinical diagnosis has been made by a physician. Electrocardiograms read in Minnesota code are also performed and used to define previous myocardial infarction. Results: Data are from 12 regions in the North, Center, and South of Italy: 3,704 men and women in 1998 and 3,479 persons in 2008 are compared. In men, prevalence of cerebrovascular events decreases from 1.5% (95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.9%) in 1998 to 0.6 (0.3–0.9%) in 2008; in women, prevalence results stable: 0.9% in 1998 (0.5–1.3%) and 0.7% in 2008 (0.4–1.1%). Prevalence of myocardial infarction results stable both in men and women: in 1998, 1.9% in men (1.4–2.4%) and 0.6% in women (0.3–0.9%), and in 2008, 2.0% (1.4-2.7%) and 0.6% (0.3-0.9%) respectively; angina pectoris results stable as well: in 1998, 2.2% in men (1.7-2.8%) and 3.9% in women (3.1-4.6%), and in 2008, 3.2% (2.5-4.0%) and 4.5% (3.6-5.4%) respectively. Prevalence of by-pass or angioplasty surgery increases in men: 2.4% (1.8-3.0%) in 1998, and 4.5% (3.6-5.4%) in 2008; in women increasing is not significant: from 0.2% (0.0-0.4%) in 1998 to 0.7% (0.3-1.1%) in 2008. Stratifying data by geographical area (North, Center, South and Island) all comparisons become not significant; in men only, cerebrovascular decreasing and by-pass or angioplasty surgery increasing trends tend to be confirmed in all three areas. Conclusions: Trends between 1998 and 2008 decrease in cerebrovascular events and increase in prevalence of by-pass or angioplasty surgery, especially in men. Stable prevalence resulted for myocardial infarction and angina pectoris. Cerebrovascular decreasing trend is in line with smoking prevalence and mean of blood pressure decreasing in the country. Further analyses considering data from all Italian regions are needed to confirm results.

Background: The Italian National Prevention Plan 2005–2008 included a 10-year cardiovascular risk assessment (10-CR) for the general population aged 35–69 years using the CUORE-Project risk score. GPs were encouraged to collect data on risk factors, perform a 10-CR and send these data to the Cardiovascular Risk Observatory (CRO). Aim: The aim of this study is to show updated data of the ongoing surveillance system of the 10-CR in the Italian adult population, a first step to implement primary preventive actions at individual level. Methods: A training plan for GPs was launched by the Ministry of Health. Data were collected using the cuore.exe software, easily and freely downloadable by GPs from the CUORE-Project website ( www.cuore.iss.it ). The CRO provides a web-platform to analyze and compare data on 10-CR and risk factors at both regional and national level. In the subgroup of persons examined at least twice a year, variations in continuous risk factors mean levels and categorical risk factors prevalences between baseline and follow-up and their 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) were calculated using methods for matched pair samples. Results: By October 2011, more than 3,000 GPs downloaded cuore.exe ; 146,322 CR assessments on 137,773 persons were sent to CRO. CR mean was 3.0% in women, 8.4% in men; 30% of men and 65% of women were at lower risk (CR Conclusions: Data demonstrate that 10-CR assessment can be an effective first step to implement preventive actions in primary care. The individual risk score is becoming a useful tool for GPs to assess their patients’ CR and promote primary prevention by focusing attention on the adoption of healthy lifestyles. These encouraging data can be used to support health policy decision processes.