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Background and Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is characterized by carrying a high cardiovascular risk. This situation underscores the importance of intensively treating the risk factors present in diabetic patients, notably dyslipemia. The treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs may be especially effective to reduce the cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. Therefore, LDL-cholesterol is a priority target in the lipid management of these patients. This study analyzes the alterations in the lipid profile of diabetic patients receiving treatment with statins, which therefore may contribute to persistent cardiovascular risk in such individuals., Patients and Methods: The DYSIS (Dyslipidemia International Study) is an international, observational trial analyzing the lipid profile of patients treated with statins and followed-up on in outpatient clinics by primary care physicians and specialists. This study is referred to the data on the diabetic patients., Results: Of the total patients enrolled in the DYSIS, the present study included 3703 patients, 39% being diabetics. A total of 59.2% of diabetics showed LDL-C out of goal; triglyceride elevation was observed in 43.6% and 36.4% showed low HDL-C. In diabetics patients with coronary heart disease, 31% had uncontrolled levels of all three lipid parameters. The prevalence of out of goal LDL-C in diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome was close to 60%; 39.8% had low levels of HDL-C and 46,6% high levels of triglycerides. In addition, 57% of diabetic patients with obesity showed LDL-C out of control, despite statins treatment., Conclusions: Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of morbidity-mortality in patients with DM2. The results of the present study show that in diabetic patients the degree of control is very limited with regard to LDL-cholesterol. More than half of diabetic patients treated with statins had LDL-cholesterol out of goal. The level of dyslipidemia control was low, despite statins treatment. Therefore, the detection of atherogenic dyslipidemia may point to the advisability of using combination therapy for dyslipidemia in diabetic patients., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To assess and compare adverse effects of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (SIV) and new Influenza A(H1N1) Vaccine (AIV) in health care workers., Methods: Multicenter cross-sectional study in health care workers from acute care hospitals, primary health care centers, social centers, mental health centers and a geriatric hospital participating in the 2009 vaccination campaign. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to all workers vaccinated with SIV and/or AIV., Results: 527 valid questionnaires were collected out of 1123 sent to SIV vaccinated workers (46.9%), and 241 out of 461 sent to AIV vaccinated workers (52.%%). Participant workers include 527 vaccinated only with SIV, 117 first vaccinated with SIV and later with AIV (SIV+AIV), and 125 vaccinated only with AIV. Overall, 18.4% (95%CI 15.1-21.7) of workers vaccinated only with SIV reported adverse effects, as compared to 45.3% (95I 36.3-54.3) reporting adverse effects to AIV in the SIV+AIV group and 46.4% (95%CI 37.7-55.1) of workers vaccinated only with AIV. In all participants the most common adverseeffect was a local reaction. Women wre more reactive to both SIV and AIV than men. In all age groups SIV vaccination alone caused fewer reactions that either AIV only or the combination of SIV+AIV, with the exception of workers below 29 years of age., Conclusions: AIV was associated with more reactions than SIV, with no differences observed in relation to administration sequence. There were differences by sex and age, but reactions always occurred more commonly with AIV., (Copyright belongs to the Societat Catalana de Seguretat i Medicina del Treball.)

Introduction and Objectives: Patients at high risk of suffering cardiovascular events require medical treatment to optimize their lipid profile. The present analysis evaluates the lipid profiles among Spanish patients receiving statin therapy in the international DYSIS study., Methods: DYSIS is a multinational cross-sectional study carried out in Canada and Europe (n=22,063). In Spain, 3710 patients treated with statin therapy for at least 3 months were included. We compared data relating to demographic parameters and cardiovascular risk profile., Results: Complete lipid profiles of 3617 patients were recorded. Regarding the high cardiovascular risk patients with complete lipid profiles (n=2273), 78.9% had a disorder in at least one of the three main lipid parameters: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and/or triglycerides. LDLc was not within target levels in 61.4% of these high risk patients; HDLc was abnormal in 25.3%, and triglycerides were elevated in 37.8%. Overall, LDLc was outside the target range in 63.1%, and 20.7% (n = 668) of those treated with statins were normal for all parameters., Conclusions: Most patients in this study who received statin therapy, particularly those at high cardiovascular risk, were not at the normal lipid parameter levels according to cardiovascular guidelines. Although it is necessary to wait for the final results of current studies on the use of combined lipid-modifying treatments, the management of lipid levels in Spain still has potential for improvement., (Copyright © 2010 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: To determine the prevalence of a low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration in 11,042 hypertensive Spanish women aged >or=55 years, to identify factors associated with a low concentration, and to evaluate its relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD)., Methods: Analysis of RIMHA cross-sectional study findings. Data on demographic, biochemical and clinical variables were obtained. Relationships between a low HDL-C concentration (<46 mg/dL) and CVD and between the HDL-C concentration (in quintiles) and CVD were studied by multivariate logistic regression modeling., Results: The prevalence of a low HDL-C concentration was 24.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.5-25.1%), and was higher in women with diabetes or CVD. A low HDL-C concentration was independently associated with excess weight, smoking, diabetes and the presence of CVD, and inversely with age. The prevalence of CVD was higher in women with a low HDL-C concentration (24.7% vs. 18.4% in those with a normal concentration; P< .001). There was an independent association between a low HDL-C concentration and CVD after adjustment for other risk factors (odds ratio [OR]=1.42; 95% CI, 1.26-1.60; P< .001) and with silent target organ damage (OR=1.31; 95% CI, 1.15-1.49; P< .001). Similarly, there was an independent inverse association between the HDL-C concentration (in quintiles) and the prevalence of CVD, particularly for HDL-C concentrations <58 mg/dL., Conclusions: One in four hypertensive women aged >or=55 years had a low HDL-C concentration, which was independently associated with the presence of CVD. Moreover, there was an inverse association between the HDL-C concentration and the prevalence of CVD, even at normal HDL-C concentrations.

Background and Objective: Information about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in elderly population is scarce. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of MS in Spanish population=60 years-old and the associated factors., Patients and Method: Epidemiological population-based cross-sectional study carried out on a randomized representative simple of subjects aged=60 years-old across the Spanish territory, stratified according to autonomous communities, census and population setting. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and electrocardiographic data were collected. MS was defined following the National Education Cholesterol Program (NCEP) criteria., Results: 7331 subjects -53.4% women; mean age (standard deviation): 71.6 (6.9) years- were included. The prevalence of MS was 39.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34.5-42.4) and was greater in women (45.2%; 95% CI, 43.7-46.8%) than in men (33.8%; 95% CI, 32.3-35.4%) (p<0.001), and lower in the urban setting. High blood pressure (HBP) was the most prevalent criterion, followed by abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. Subjects with MS were younger, with higher body mass index and blood pressure, and had more prevalence of organ damage and cardovascular disease (p<0,001). In the multivariate analysis, female gender, HBP, diabetes and abdominal obesity were the most strongly related factors., Conclusions: Four out of 10 subjects aged 60 years-old or more had MS, and this was related mainly to female gender, HBP, obesity and diabetes.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and the relationship between HDL-C and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) in an elderly Mediterranean population., Methods: Analysis of Prevención del Riesgo de Ictus, a population-based study on Spanish subjects aged > or = 60 years. Low HDL-C was defined following the European guidelines for cardiovascular prevention [men: < 40 mg/dl (< 1.0 mmol/l); women: < 46 mg/dl (< 1.2 mmol/l)]. The relationship between low HDL-C or HDL-C concentration (in quintiles) and CVD was assessed through multivariate models that included cardiovascular risk factors, statins and subclinical organ damage., Results: On 6010 subjects (71.7 years, 53.5% women), low HDL-C was present in 17.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 16.5-18.5] and was more frequent in women [20.4% (19.0-21.8) vs. 14.1% (12.8-15.4) in men p < 0.001] and in patients with diabetes, CVD or statin therapy. Low HDL-C was independently associated with CVD [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.46, 95% CI: 1.22-1.74, p < 0.001]. The prevalence of CVD was higher as HDL-C concentration was lower (chi-square trend < 0.001). Compared with the highest quintile [> 65 mg/dl (> 1.67 mmol/l)], adjusted OR for CVD were 1.39 (1.10-1.76), 1.41 (1.11-1.80), 1.49 (1.18-1.89) and 1.91 (1.52-2.39), respectively for those in the fourth [57-65 mg/dl (1.46-1.67 mmol/l)], third [51-56 mg/dl (1.31-1.45 mmol/l)], second [46-50 mg/dl (1.18-1.30 mmol/l)] and first [< 46 mg/dl (< 1.18 mmol/l)] quintiles of HDL-C. This association was seen in males and females., Conclusions: A total of 17.5% of this Spanish population aged > or = 60 years had low HDL-C. We found a strong, independent and inverse association between HDL-C concentrations and established CVD, even at ranges of HDL-C considered as normal.

Background and Objective: Data on the prevalence of obesity in elderly population in Spain are scarce. The objective of this work was to describe the prevalence of obesity and the related factors in a random sample of Spanish population aged 60 years-old or more, stratified by autonomous communities., Subjects and Method: We analyzed the PREV-ICTUS study, a population-based study carried out between September and December 2005 in a random sample stratified by autonomous communities according to the census of inhabitants and the habitat in each community. Subjects were classified as with normal weight (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg), overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg)., Results: In 6,843 subjects -mean age (standard deviation): 71.9 (7.1) years-old; 53.3% women-, prevalence of obesity was 34.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.3-35.5%), higher in women (38.4%; 95% CI, 36.8-39.9%) than in men (30.0%; 95% CI, 28.4-31.6%; p < 0.001), with a tendency to decrease in the older population. In total, 81.7% of the population showed overweight (BMI > or = 25). Prevalence differed among communities from 46.4% to 20.7% (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, obesity was inversely related to age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.98 per each year increment), and directly to female gender (OR = 1.25), rural (OR = 1.50) or semi-urban habitat (OR = 1.38), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 1.86) and non-smoking history (OR = 1.19)., Conclusions: Obesity was present in one out of 3 individuals of this reasonably representative sample of the Spanish population in an age range, 60 years-old or more, which concentrates a high cardiovascular risk. Differences in the prevalence among autonomus communities were detected.

Objective: To assess the relationship between different serum lipid profiles and the prevalence of established cardiovascular disease (CVD) in an elderly population., Research Design and Methods: An analysis was undertaken of the PREV-ICTUS population-based study on Spanish subjects aged > or =60 years. The following definitions were used: abnormal LDL cholesterol (LDL-C): > or =130 mg/dl (> or =3.3 mmol/L), or > or =100 mg/dl (> or =2.5 mmol/L) in those with diabetes or CVD, or treatment with any hypolipidaemic drug; low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C): <40 mg/dl (<1 mmol/L) (men), or <50 mg/dl (<1.3 mmol/L) (women), and abnormal triglycerides (TG): > or =150 mg/dl (> or =1.7 mmol/L) or treatment with fibrates. We defined eight groups: A (normal lipid profile), B (isolated abnormal LDL-C), C (isolated abnormal TG), D (isolated low HDL-C), E (abnormal LDL-C and HDL-C), F (abnormal LDL-C and TG), G (abnormal TG and HDL-C), H (abnormal LDL-C, HDL-C and TG). A multivariate analysis was performed to assess the relationship between each lipid profile and CVD., Results: A total of 6010 subjects (mean age 71.7 years, 53.5% women, 73.2% with hypertension, 29.2% with diabetes mellitus, 24.3% with CVD), were included in the analysis. LDL-C elevation was present in 78.1%, 23.3% had low HDL-C and 35.7% abnormal TG. Combined dyslipidaemias were frequent (40.3%). Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for CVD, compared with those with a normal lipid profile, were 2.07 (1.24-3.46) for abnormal HDL-C (p = 0.005), 4.09 (3.10-5.39) for abnormal LDL-C; 6.41 (4.59-8.95) for abnormal LDL-C plus HDL-C, 5.33 (3.98-7.14) for abnormal LDL-C plus TG and 7.59 (5.51-10.5) for those with the three parameters altered (all p < 0.001). Compared with those with isolated LDL-C elevation, those with abnormal LDL-C plus HDL-C had 1.57 (1.30-1.97) higher odds of having CVD (p < 0.001), the figures being 1.30 (1.11-1.53) for those with abnormal LDL-C plus TG and 1.86 (1.52-2.28) for those with abnormal LDL-C, TG plus HDL-C (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Lipid abnormalities are frequent in the elderly, and are associated with the presence of CVD. Low HDL-C and/or abnormal TG levels, when added to abnormal LDL-C, are associated with a higher prevalence of CVD, suggesting the advisability of a comprehensive lipid evaluation and treatment earlier in life.

Background and Objectives: To analyze the impact of occult renal failure (ORF) in the individual risk stratification and on the blood pressures (BP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) goals in an aged population, according to the ESH/ESC Hypertension Guidelines., Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study on individuals aged 60 years or more carried out in Primary Care Centers of Spain. Kidney function was estimated from calculated creatinine clearance (eGFR), Cockroft and Gault formula. Ten-year cardiovascular risk was estimated through the ESH/ESC table including or not including the eGFR. Estimates of the modification in BP and LDL-cholesterol (cLDL) goals were calculated., Results: In 6419 subjects, 4242 subjects (66%) had normal renal function, 1971 (31%) had ORF (normal creatinine and low eGFR) and 206 (3%) had insufficient renal function (high creatinine and all of them low eGFR). Inclusion of ORF as target organ damage resulted in an increase in the estimated risk in 10.8% of the total sample, increasing the percentage of high-risk subjects. In the latter case, new BP and cLDL goals (<130/80 mmHg and <100 mg/dl) should be needed in 475 (7.4%) and 413 (6.4%) additional subjects, respectively., Conclusion: Inclusion of the ORF resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of subjects with estimated high cardiovascular risk.

Background and Objective: To assess the prevalence of low glomerular filtration rate (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) in general population of subjects aged 60 years or older of Spain, and the related factors., Patients and Method: Analysis of PREV-ICTUS, a population-based study carried out in a sample of subjects aged 60 years or more, randomly selected and stratified by Autonomic Communities according to the census of inhabitants and the habitat in each Community. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors and diseases were collected. GFR was calculated using the MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) equation., Results: In 6,799 subjects (age 71.9 years-old; 53.6% women; 72.9% with arterial hypertension [HT]; 27.0% with diabetes mellitus [DM]; 24.3% with cardiovascular disease), 25.9% had low GFR (95% confidence interval, 24.8-26.9). The prevalence increased linearly, from 16.5% in subjects aged 60-64 years to 46.5% in those aged 85 or more (p < 0.001), and was higher in women (36.1% vs 14.1% in men, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, low GFR was independently related to advanced age (odds ratio [OR] between 1.30 y 4.20), female gender (OR = 5.82), HT older than 7 years (OR = 1.23), uric acid (OR = 1.52 for each increment of 1 mg/dl) and cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.68). The association with DM did not reach statistical significance. In a model without cardiovascular disease, related factors remained the same, increasing the significance of HT older than 7 years (OR = 1.31) and of DM (OR = 1.19)., Conclusion: One out or 4 subjects of this sample showed low GFR. The variables directly associated with low GFR were advanced age, female gender, HT of longer evolution, cardiovascular disease, increased uric acid, and, in one model, DM.

Introduction and Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in individuals aged 60 years or more in Spain using a random sample of the population and to identify associated factors., Methods: An analysis of the PREV-ICTUS study, a randomized cross-sectional population-based study of individuals aged 60 years or more, was carried out. Data on demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were obtained from medical records. The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was based on the patient's medical history and an electrocardiogram performed during the study., Results: In the 7108 individuals studied (mean age 71.9 [7.1] years, 53.6% female), the prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.9-9.2%). It was higher in males (9.3% vs 7.9% in females; P=.036) and increased from 4.2% in individuals aged 60-64 years to 16.5% in those aged 85 years or more (chi-squared test for linear trend, P< .001). Multivariate analysis showed that existing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, age, and left ventricular hypertrophy had the strongest associations with atrial fibrillation. Although there was a strong relationship between hypertension and atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 2.53, 95% CI, 1.60-4.01), no association was found between poor blood pressure control and atrial fibrillation. A weak association with diabetes mellitus was found only when arterial pressure was included in the model, but not when a diagnosis of hypertension was included., Conclusions: In this cross-sectional population-based study of elderly individuals, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 8.5%, and was strongly associated with existing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, age and left ventricular hypertrophy.

The objective was to assess the stroke risk and prevalence of the cardiovascular risk factors and to analyze their relationship with the specific stroke rates of mortality in each of the autonomic communities of Spain. We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study of population >60 years old in Spanish primary care centers. In all of the subjects, clinical, biochemical, and electrocardiographic data were obtained, and the 10-year stroke risk was calculated using the Framingham score. Mortality rates of stroke, age and sex adjusted, were obtained for each of the autonomic communities from the Ministry of Health. A total of 7343 subjects (mean age: 71.6 years, 53.4% women, 34.4% obese, and 27.1% diabetic subjects) were analyzed. A total of 73% were already diagnosed with hypertension. Among hypertensive subjects, 29.1% had blood pressure on therapeutic objective, and, of the total population, 35.7% had blood pressure under control. ECG-left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 12.9% of the subjects. The estimated stroke risk was 19.6%. Stroke mortality rates were significantly related to the estimated 10-year stroke risk (r=0.41; P<0.05) in each autonomic community. Poor hypertension control (P=-0.42; P<0.05) and prevalence of ECG-left ventricular hypertrophy (P=0.52; P<0.05) were the main factors related to the stroke mortality rates after controlling by age, sex, obesity, diabetes, and urban setting. Differences in stroke mortality throughout the autonomic communities of Spain were associated with indexes of worse blood pressure handling, low control rates, and high left-ventricular hypertrophy.

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship among metabolic syndrome (MS), target organ damage (TOD) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) in non-diabetic hypertensive elderly patients. ERIC-HTA is cross-sectional, multicentre study carried out in primary care, on hypertensive patients aged 55 or older. MS was defined by the NCEP-ATP III criteria, using body mass index (>28.8 kg/m(2)) instead of abdominal perimeter. In 8331 non-diabetic hypertensive patients (3663 men and 4668 women, mean age 67.7 years), the prevalence of MS was 32.6% (men: 29.0%; women: 36.8%). A linear association was observed between a greater number of components of MS and a greater prevalence of left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) on the electrocardiogram (p<0.001), impaired kidney function (p<0.001) and established CVD (p = 0.001). In a multivariate model, MS in non-diabetic hypertensive patients was related to a greater prevalence of LVH (OR 1.31 [95% CI: 1.15-1.48]), impaired kidney function (OR 1.45 [95% CI: 1.29-1.63]) and established CVD (OR 1.22 [95% CI: 1.08-1.37]). This relationship persisted after stratifying by gender. In conclusion, in this elderly non-diabetic hypertensive population, the presence of MS was independently related to a greater prevalence of hypertensive TOD and established CVD, suggesting a role of MS as a cardiovascular risk marker in hypertension.

The prevalence and significance of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) has received very little attention. A total of 10,320 hypertensive patients who attended primary care centers were enrolled in this study, and the final analysis was done in 7625 patients: 1459 without IFG (plasma glucose <100 mg/dl), 3010 with IFG (plasma glucose > or =100 mg/dl and <126 mg/dl), and 3156 with type 2 diabetes (plasma glucose >126 mg/dl). Microalbuminuria was determined using the Micro Albustix reactive strip from Bayer (high urinary albumin excretion [UAE]: Albumin/creatinine ratio > or =3.4 mg/mmol). The proportion of patients with high UAE was 39.4, 48.3, and 65.6%, respectively, in the three groups (P < 0.01 for the trend). The differences in UAE between the group with IFG and the group with normal fasting glucose persisted after adjustment for age, gender, systolic BP, fasting plasma glucose, and cardiovascular comorbidity (odds ratio 1.74; 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 2.80). Hypertensive patients with IFG and high UAE showed a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cardiac insufficiency, left ventricular hypertrophy, atrial fibrillation, and renal insufficiency than the group with normal UAE. Global prevalence of cardiovascular conditions was 30.4% in the group with high UAE compared with 21.4% in the group with normal UAE (odds ratio 1.60; 95% confidence interval 1.31 to 1.95). It is concluded that almost half of hypertensive patients with IFG have high UAE and a higher prevalence of associated cardiovascular involvement and renal insufficiency.

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and GF across the spectrum of the glucose metabolism abnormalities in a large population of patients with hypertension. The Microaluminuria en Pacientes con Glucemia Basal Alterada (MAGAL) is a multicenter, cross-sectional study that was carried out by 1723 primary care physicians. A total of 6227 patients with essential hypertension (in three groups: [1] normal fasting glucose <100 mg/dl, [2] impaired fasting glucose > or =100 to 126 mg/dl, and [3] type 2 diabetes) were analyzed in this substudy. GFR was estimated by using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) abbreviated equation. A single first-morning urine albumin/creatinine ratio was measured using Bayer reagent strip Microalbustix, a semiquantitative method. Abnormal UAE was defined as an albumin/creatinine ratio > or =3.4 mg/mmol (equivalent to > or =30 mg/g). The prevalence of abnormal UAE, > or =3.4 mg/mmol, increased across the spectrum of glucose abnormalities: 39.7, 46.2, 48.6, and 65.6% for normoglycemic, low-range, and high-range impaired fasting glucose and diabetes, respectively. UAE was positively related to SBP (P = 0.003) and inversely to GFR (P < 0.001). Renal insufficiency (GFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) was present in 21.8% of the patients, more frequently older patients, women, and those with diabetes. The factors that were related to renal insufficiency were UAE > or =3.4 mg/mmol (odds ratio 1.86; 95% confidence interval 1.60 to 2.17) and diabetes (odds ratio 1.62; 95% confidence interval 1.29 to 2.04). There is a close relationship between abnormal UAE and renal insufficiency in essential hypertension. This is more marked in patients with diabetes and moderate in patients with high-range impaired fasting glucose.

Introduction and Objectives: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the earliest manifestation of cardiac damage in hypertension. Its appearance is associated with a poor cardiovascular prognosis. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of electrocardiographic LVH and to assess the epidemiological characteristics of hypertensive patients receiving primary care., Patients and Method: A cross-sectional multicenter study of hypertensive patients aged 55 years or more was carried out in a primary care setting. Blood pressure was measured using the standard method. Cardiovascular history was determined from medical records and LVH was assessed electrocardiographically using Cornell's criteria., Results: In total, 15 798 patients (mean age 68.0 years, 55.3% women, and 30.4% with diabetes mellitus) were evaluated. Of these, 3207 (20.3%) had electrocardiographic signs of LVH. The prevalence was higher in males, diabetics, smokers, and patients with high blood pressure or renal or cardiovascular disease. Compared to patients without LVH, those with the condition were older, were more often male, and were more likely to have diabetes or renal or cardiovascular disease. Multivariate analysis showed that LVH was independently associated with advanced age, male gender, diabetes, smoking, poor blood pressure control, and the presence of cardiovascular or renal disease. Blood pressure control was poorer in patients with LVH than in those without it., Conclusions: The prevalence of electrocardiographic LVH is high, with affected patients being more likely to have diabetes or renal or cardiovascular disease. Moreover, blood pressure control is poor in these patients, and more aggressive pharmacological management is needed.

Stroke is the leading cause of mortality in women in Spain. RIMHA is a cross-sectional multicenter study in hypertensive women aged 55 or more in primary care to estimate the 10-year risk for a first stroke. Clinical history, cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, electrocardiogram, blood samples and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Stroke and coronary risk were estimated using the appropriate Framingham scales; 12875 patients were included (mean age 68.0+/-8.5 years, 29.1% with diabetes, 19.7% with cardiovascular disease). Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was present in 19.2% BP was controlled in 42.9% of non-diabetic (BP<140/90 mmHg) and 9.7% of diabetic patients (BP<130/80 mmHg). The 10-year risk (+/- SD) for a first stroke was estimated as 15.8+/-16.3%, and the coronary risk as 12.0+/-6.3. In the multivariate analysis, the most contributing factors for stroke risk estimation were age, systolic BP, LVH and atrial fibrillation. In conclusion, the 10-year estimated stroke risk for Spanish hypertensive women aged 55 years or more was higher than the estimated coronary risk, in accordance with the high rates of morbidity and mortality due to stroke among women in Spain. The most powerful risk factors were older age, poor BP control, LVH and atrial fibrillation.

Background: Although the painful shoulder is one of the most common dysfunctions of the locomotor apparatus, and is frequently treated both at primary healthcare centres and by specialists, little evidence has been reported to support or refute the effectiveness of the treatments most commonly applied. According to the bibliography reviewed, physiotherapy, which is the most common action taken to alleviate this problem, has not yet been proven to be effective, because of the small size of sample groups and the lack of methodological rigor in the papers published on the subject. No reviews have been made to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating this complaint, but in recent years controlled randomised studies have been made and these demonstrate an increasing use of acupuncture to treat pathologies of the soft tissues of the shoulder. In this study, we seek to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy applied jointly with acupuncture, compared with physiotherapy applied with a TENS-placebo, in the treatment of painful shoulder caused by subacromial syndrome (rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis)., Methods/design: Randomised controlled multicentre study with blind evaluation by an independent observer and blind, independent analysis. A study will be made of 465 patients referred to the rehabilitation services at participating healthcare centres, belonging to the regional public health systems of Andalusia and Murcia, these patients presenting symptoms of painful shoulder and a diagnosis of subacromial syndrome (rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis). The patients will be randomised into two groups: 1) experimental (acupuncture + physiotherapy); 2) control (TENS-placebo + physiotherapy); the administration of rescue medication will also be allowed. The treatment period will have a duration of three weeks. The main result variable will be the change produced on Constant's Shoulder Function Assessment (SFA) Scale; as secondary variables, we will record the changes in diurnal pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS), nocturnal pain intensity on the VAS, doses of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken during the study period, credibility scale for the treatment, degree of improvement perceived by the patient and degree of improvement perceived by the evaluator. A follow up examination will be made at 3, 6 and 12 months after the study period has ended. Two types of population will be considered for analysis: per protocol and per intention to treat., Discussion: The discussion will take into account the limitations of the study, together with considerations such as the choice of a simple, safe method to treat this shoulder complaint, the choice of the control group, and the blinding of the patients, evaluators and those responsible for carrying out the final analysis.

Background and Objective: Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hypertensive population. The aim of this study is to estimate the 10-year risk of a first stroke in Spanish hypertensive population using the Framingham scale., Patients and Method: Cross-sectional multicenter study in primary care environment, on hypertensive patients aged 55 or more (10 consecutive patients each physician). Blood pressure (BP) was measured according to standardized rules. Stroke and coronary risk were estimated using the Framingham scale., Results: 16,129 patients (mean age 67.7 years; 57.1% women; 30.4% with diabetes mellitus; 26.6% with previous history of cardiovascular disease) were analyzed. 20.3% showed electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (more prevalent in males, diabetics, with systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg; p < 0.001). The goal of BP control was reached in 30.1% of non-diabetic patients and only in 5.9% of diabetics. The estimated 10-year risk of a first stroke (standard deviation) was estimated to be 19.9% (16.8), and the coronary risk 19.2% (14.0). While males had an estimated risk of coronary disease above the stroke risk, women had an estimated risk of a first stroke greater than the estimated risk of coronary disease., Conclusions: The estimated risk of stroke among Spanish hypertensive population is high, and the main risk factors (age, systolic BP, diabetes and left ventricular hypertrophy) tend to aggregate. In women estimated risk of stroke in greater than estimated coronary risk. The risk of stroke must be taken into account in the assessment and treatment of hypertensive patients.

The objective was to study factors related to the changes induced by antihypertensive treatment on oxidative status, antioxidant activities, and reactive oxygen species by-products in whole blood and mononuclear peripheral cells. Eighty-nine hypertensive patients (mean age 46 years, 46 men, average 24-h blood pressure 139/88 mm Hg, body mass index 29) were included. After 3 months of nonrandomized allocation to antihypertensive treatment (20 nonpharmacologic, 36 beta-blockers, 33 angiotensin receptor blocker), oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio and malondialdehyde were significantly reduced, and the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase was significantly increased in both whole blood and peripheral mononuclear cells. The content of damaged base 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in hypertensive subjects was also significantly reduced during the antihypertensive treatment. In a group of 42 subjects, the oxidative stress was further reduced and the antioxidant enzyme activities further increased after 12 months of antihypertensive treatment. The changes were independent of the kind of antihypertensive treatment. In conclusion, antihypertensive treatment improved the increased oxidative stress and the decreased antioxidant mechanisms. It is independent of the type of treatment and the beneficial effect of treatment increases over time., (Copyright 2004 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.)

Background: The goal of this study was to analyse the association between essential hypertension and the main genetic polymorphisms at the renin-angiotensin system in the Spanish population., Patients and Method: Case-control study including 185 essential hypertensive subjects(age [SD] 39.6 [7.5] years, 52% women, systolic blood pressure 151.2 [17.4] mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 96.0 [9.4] mmHg) and 350 sex- and age-matched normotensive individuals selected from a sample of the general population of the Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (age 39.4 [8.0] years, 51.7% women, systolic blood pressure 116.0 [12.0] mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 69.6 [8.5] mmHg). A PCR was performed to determine I/D angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism, A-6G and M235T angiotensinogen gene polymorphism and A1166C polymorphism of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor., Results: There were no differences between cases and controls with regard to genotypic and allelic distributions. In hypertensive patients,there were no differences in genotypic or allelic distributions after considering the presence or absence of a familial history of hypertension or comparing tertiles of systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. Only in women, the combination of a C allele of A1166C polymorphism with an A-6G angiotensinogen polymorphism A allele (p = 0.007), or an M235T angiotensinogen polymorphism T allele (p = 0.007), was associated with a higher risk of hypertension., Conclusions: We found no association between essential hypertension risk and I/D ACE gene, M235T and A-6G angiotensinogen gene, or A1166C angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphisms. An epistatic effect was observed in young women between angiotensin II type 1 receptor polymorphisms and angiotensinogen polymorphisms.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the antialbuminuric effect of losartan in a large number of hypertensive type 2 diabetics., Methods: This was a 6-month, open-label, prospective and multicentre study. A total of 422 patients with type 2 diabetes who were hypertensive [sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > or = 90 mmHg] and microalbuminuric [urinary albumin excretion (UAE) 30-300 mg/day] were eligible for the study. After a 2-week run-in period, patients were placed on losartan 50 mg once a day. If the BP did not reach the desired goal (< 140/90 mmHg) after a 4-week period, the losartan dose was doubled. In the absence of control of BP, losartan 50 mg/day+hydroclorothiazide 12.5 mg/day was administrated. Initially and at 12 and 24 weeks of active treatment, BP, UAE, HbA(1c) and other renal function parameters were evaluated., Results: A significant decrease in SBP and DBP was observed, as well as in parameters reflecting metabolic control, fasting glucose and HbA(1c). UAE also decreased significantly, but the percentage of the variance of change in UAE explained by the changes in SBP and HbA(1c) was, however, negligible, i.e. 4%. Moreover, small but significant reductions in uric acid, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels were also observed., Conclusion: Antihypertensive treatment with losartan exerts a beneficial effect on UAE, a benchmark for measuring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in diabetic nephropathy, by reducing BP and allowing better diabetes control. The role of other mechanisms influencing the favourable outcome, beyond these measured effects, needs to be assessed in further studies.

The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between microalbuminuria (Malb) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), when levels of ambulatory BP was token in to account as a confounder factor. Patients with essential hypertension, aged 25 to 50 years old, never treated with antihypertensive drugs, were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were: (a) absence of diabetes, renal disease or urinary tract infection; (b) urinary albumin excretion (UAE) estimated in urine of 24 hours in two separate days; (c) echocardiography suitable for measurement of left ventricular mass (LVM); and (d) good quality ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during 24 hours. UAE was measured using a immunonephelometric assay (Behring Institute) and Malb was considered when UAE 30 to 300 mg/24 hours during the two days. LVM was calculated by the Devereaux formula and referred to height (LVMI g/m). AMBP was performed using an oscilometric device (Spacelabs 90202 or 90207) during a regular working day. Readings were programmed every 20 minutes between 6 a.m. to midnight and thereafter every 30 minutes. The average BP during a 24 hour period was calculated. One hundred and fifty one patients (96 male, mean age 37 +/- 8 years, body mass index 27.7 +/- 3.7 g/m2) were included. The average values of office BP was 148 +/- 15/96 +/- 8 mm Hg, and the average BP during 24 hours was 137 +/- 13/88 +/- 12 mm Hg. UAE was 30.1 +/- 52.3 mg/24 hr and the LVMI 140.6 +/- 44.1 g/m. The percentage of Malb patients was 28% and those with LVH 34%. A significant relationship between UAE and office and ambulatory SBP and DBP was observed. LVMI was also significantly related to ambulatory SBP and DBP, a relationship that was not found for office BP. In a multiple regression model, significant relationship between UAE and LVMI emerged, independent of diastolic ambulatory BP, age and sex (P < 0.04). In conclusion; we observed a significant relationship between UAE and LVMI, in part, independent of blood pressure. The fact that Malb is associated with the presence of LVH, supports the idea that Malb is a risk marker in essential hypertensive patients.

Background: The value of nocturnal minute-by-minute urine was analyzed for the detection of microalbuminuria in high blood pressure., Methods: Urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was measured by immunonephelometry in 70 patients with essential arterial hypertension (34 males, mean age 44 +/- 5 years, body mass index [BMI] 28 +/- 4, clinical blood pressure [BP] 157 +/- 12/97 +/- 7 mmHg) and 12 healthy normotensive controls (5 males, mean age 38 +/- 4 years, BMI 27 +/- 3; clinical BP 126 +/- 12/79 +/- 5 mmHg). Both 24 hours urine as well as nocturnal urine were collected over 2 days. The intraindividual variability was evaluated by calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient and by the Bland and Altman method., Results: Mean 24-hour UAE was 24.7 +/- 41.9 micrograms/min, greater than nocturnal urine (17.7 +/- 32.8 micrograms/min) (p < 0.05). The UAE rate was significantly greater in the hypertensive patients than in the controls (p < 0.01) for both the 24-hour and nocturnal urine. The intraindividual variability estimated as the percentage of repeatability was 35% for 24-hour UAE and 43% for nocturnal UAE, being slightly higher values than those observed in the controls. Microalbuminuria was detected in 17 (24%) of the patients in 24-hour samples while in the nocturnal urine 12.12 or 10 patients were found according to whether the threshold considered was 14 micrograms/min, 14.9 micrograms/min or 20 micrograms/min, respectively. While the specificity in nocturnal minute-by-minute urine was 98% and the positive predictive value was 0.91 for any of the thresholds considered, sensitivity ranged from 59% for the higher threshold (20 micrograms/min) to 70% for the lower threshold (14 micrograms/min)., Conclusions: The determination of microalbuminuria in minuted nocturnal urine in patients with essential arterial hypertension is less sensitive than that determined in 24-hour urine.

To study how changes in dietary salt influence the blood pressure (BP) of pharmacologically controlled hypertensive patients, we have selected from a large multicenter trial two subgroups of 14 and 16 patients who attained BP control (office DBP < 90 mm Hg) after a 4-week treatment with verapamil SR 240 mg once daily, either under an unrestricted salt diet (high-salt; 14 patients) or under a moderately restricted salt diet (low-salt; 16 patients). All of them were switched to the opposite dietary salt regimen and continued on verapamil for 4 more weeks (Salt-Switching-Period). Office BP and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were registered before and after the Salt-Switching-Period. Salt intake was checked by urinary sodium excretion (UNa). Patients switching from high- to low-salt reduced UNa from 180.9 +/- 22.9 to 89 +/- 28 mM Na/24h (P < 0.001) and patients switching from low- to high-salt increased UNa from 85 +/- 38.4 to 175.8 +/- 57.5 mM Na/24h (P < 0.001). No significant changes in BP were found by ABPM either in the group switching from high- to low-salt or in the group switching from low- to high-salt. In the latter group, a significant increase was observed in office DPB but not in SBP. Short-term changes in salt intake seem to have little influence on the BP of patients pharmacologically controlled with verapamil.

Background: Outpatient monitoring of blood pressure (OPMBP) allows more precise values to be obtained and to observe the oscillations over 24 hours. Although this is widely used in the estimation of the antihypertensive efficacy of drugs, few studies have been performed on the evaluation of the control in treated patients., Methods: One hundred eight patients (M/F 55/53, mean age 50 +/- 11 years, body mass index 29.7 +/- 4.4) with essential high blood pressure (HBP) were included in the study fulfilling the criteria of: a) DBP > 95 mmHg on 3 visits over a 2 month period, b) antihypertensive treatment maintained over 2 months and c) normal renal function (Cr < 115 mumol/l). Twenty-five patients were considered as having resistant HBP on presenting BP > 150/100 mmHg during the course of treatment with well combined and adequately dosed drugs, one of which was a diuretic. Twenty-four hour OPMBP was carried out in all the patients on a normal work day with a SpaceLabs 90202 monitor. Acceptable control was considered when the mean of the DBP throughout the day (08:00-22:00) was < 85 mmHg., Results: Out of all the patients studied, 67 (62%) showed acceptable control and 27 (25%) showed normotensive values. Among the 25 refractory hypertensive patients 20 (40%) showed an acceptable control and 7 (28%) normotensive values. The only clinical difference between both groups was the presence of a greater degree of organic repercussion in the inadequately controlled group (chi 2 p < 0.05). Eight patients showed medium values of SBP over 24 h < 120 mmHg and 2 medium values of DBP over 24 h < 70 mmHg., Conclusions: Outpatient monitoring of blood pressure may be useful in the evaluation of the control of high blood pressure in patients submitted to pharmacologic treatment who do not present an adequate reduction in the values of blood pressure.

The objective of the present study was to assess factors related to the presence of microalbuminuria in essential hypertension. Ninety-five patients with essential hypertension (58 males and 37 females, mean age 38.6 +/- 6.1 years) who had never been treated previously for hypertension were included in the study. Patients with nephropathy or diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia > 120 mg/dL, glomerular filtration rate < 80 mL/min/1.73 m2, urinary tract infection, or positive dipstick for albumin or glucose were excluded. Blood pressure, echocardiographically determined left ventricular mass, serum biochemistry, and lipid profile were obtained. Twenty-four-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was measured on two separate days using an immunonephelometric assay. Microalbuminuria (UAE 30 to 300 mg/24 h) occurred in 26% of patients and was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and hyperapolipoproteinemia B (apo-B). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of microalbuminuria was independently related to diastolic blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia when controlling for age, sex, body mass index, LVMI, and apo-B. Multiple regression analysis likewise confirmed that both DBP and LVMI were linearly related to UAE independent of age, sex, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and apo-B. In conclusion, our study indicates that among hypertensive patients with elevated excretion rates of urinary albumin, even at the subclinical level, an increased cardiovascular risk exists compared to normoalbuminuric patients with a similar blood pressure. Assessment of the presence of microalbuminuria may be useful in the evaluation and management of hypertension.

Objective: To assess the relationship of subclinical urinary albumin excretion with ambulatory and circadian variability of blood pressure., Design and Methods: Patients with essential hypertension (82 males and 59 females, mean +/- SD age 38.9 +/- 7.3 years) who had never been previously treated for hypertension were included in the study. Patients with nephropathy or diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia > 120 mg/dl, glomerular filtration rate < 80 ml/min per 1.73 m2, urinary tract infection and positive dipstick for albumin or glucose were excluded. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on a regular working day using an oscillometric device was performed. Twenty-four-hour urinary albumin excretion was measured on two separate days using an immunonephelometric assay., Results: Microalbuminuric patients (urinary albumin excretion 30-300 mg/24 h, n = 31) had significantly higher mean ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) than those with normoalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion < 30 mg/24 h, n = 96) during the 24-h, daytime (0800-2200 h) and night (2400-0600 h) periods, whereas for office blood pressure only DBP was significantly higher. Urinary albumin excretion was positively correlated with the means of SBP and DBP. Multiple regression analysis similarly confirmed that DBP during daytime was positively and day:night ratio of DBP inversely associated with urinary albumin excretion independent of age, sex and other parameters of ambulatory blood pressure., Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study indicates that, in middle-aged essential hypertensive patients, the presence of microalbuminuria is a marker for the presence of higher values of blood pressure throughout a 24-h period.