Hanna Tolonen1, Ulrich Keil, Marco Ferrario, Alun Evans. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, National Public Health Institute (KTL), Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300 Helsinki, Finland. hanna.tolonen@ktl.fi
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies have been conducted to estimate the population prevalence of hypertension, or its diagnosis and treatment. There is no multinationally comparable information on the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia, or its diagnosis and treatment, since individual studies are often not directly comparable. METHODS: Data from the WHO MONICA Project's final risk factor surveys were used. Data were collected using standardized methods between 1989 and 1997 for the 35-64 year age range in 32 populations, in 19 countries on 3 continents. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol > or = 6.5 mmol/l or taking lipid-lowering drugs) varied across populations from 3% to 53% in men, and from 4% to 40% in women. Awareness of hypercholesterolaemia varied from 1% to 33% in men, and from 0% to 31% in women. In most populations, over 50% of men and women on lipid-lowering drugs had a cholesterol level < 6.5 mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation in the prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypercholesterolaemia between populations. For the planning and implementation of primary prevention programmes and for the development of health care systems, monitoring of changes, both within and between populations, is essential. To obtain reliable information on these changes, well-standardized methods must be applied.
BACKGROUND: Several studies have been conducted to estimate the population prevalence of hypertension, or its diagnosis and treatment. There is no multinationally comparable information on the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia, or its diagnosis and treatment, since individual studies are often not directly comparable. METHODS: Data from the WHO MONICA Project's final risk factor surveys were used. Data were collected using standardized methods between 1989 and 1997 for the 35-64 year age range in 32 populations, in 19 countries on 3 continents. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol > or = 6.5 mmol/l or taking lipid-lowering drugs) varied across populations from 3% to 53% in men, and from 4% to 40% in women. Awareness of hypercholesterolaemia varied from 1% to 33% in men, and from 0% to 31% in women. In most populations, over 50% of men and women on lipid-lowering drugs had a cholesterol level < 6.5 mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation in the prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypercholesterolaemia between populations. For the planning and implementation of primary prevention programmes and for the development of health care systems, monitoring of changes, both within and between populations, is essential. To obtain reliable information on these changes, well-standardized methods must be applied.
Authors: Zhao Lan Liu; Jian Ping Liu; Anthony Lin Zhang; Qiong Wu; Yao Ruan; George Lewith; Denise Visconte Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2011-07-06
Authors: D Adeloye; D Q Abaa; E O Owolabi; B M Ale; R G Mpazanje; M T Dewan; C Omoyele; N Ezeigwe; W Alemu; M O Harhay; A Auta; I F Adewole Journal: Public Health Date: 2019-11-05 Impact factor: 2.427