Rose Questionnaire Research Articles

Cardiovascular effects in viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulfide.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the cardiovascular effects in workers currently exposed to carbon disulfide (CS2) below the threshold limit value (TLV) of 31 mg/m3 and to determine the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) after long-term exposure. 172 men (91 workers exposed to CS2 in a viscose rayon factory and 81 referent workers) were examined using a medical and job history questionnaire, Rose's questionnaire, and electrocardiography at rest, and by measuring blood pressure and serum lipids and lipoproteins. Personal exposures were monitored simultaneously with active sampling and findings were analyzed according to the NIOSH 1600 method. As a result of technical and organizational improvements, personal CS2 exposures were well below the TLV (5.4-13.02 mg/m3). No significant effect of CS2 on blood pressure or lipids (total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins AI and B) was found, even after allowance for confounding factors. The prevalence of CHD (ECG abnormalities and chest pain) was higher in the viscose rayon workers than in the workers with no exposure but reached statistical significance for men with exposure histories often years and more only (cumulative CS9 index > or = 150 mg/m3, the most highly exposed group). The findings suggest that the coronary risk is increased in workers previously exposed to high CS2 concentrations but not in those exposed to CS2 levels below the current TLV.

Chest pain in asbestos-exposed individuals with benign pleural and parenchymal disease.

Many asbestos-exposed individuals complain of chest pain for which there is no clear explanation. To determine whether chest pain is associated with the presence of benign pleural or parenchymal disease on chest radiograph, we studied 1,280 subjects undergoing surveillance because of prior asbestos exposure at Wittenoom, Western Australia. All subjects completed the Rose questionnaire on chest pain and this revealed 556 subjects (43%) who experienced some chest pain. A posterior-anterior chest radiograph was performed at the same clinic visit and was subsequently graded independently by two experienced readers for diffuse parenchymal disease and pleural disease. Logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, and cumulative asbestos exposure indicated that the presence of chest pain was significantly associated with the presence of both benign pleural disease and diffuse parenchymal disease. Further analysis after stratification of chest pain into nonanginal and anginal pain showed that there was a significant association between anginal pain and the presence of pleural and parenchymal asbestos-induced radiologic abnormalities and an association of nonanginal pain with parenchymal disease. We conclude that radiographic evidence of either parenchymal or pleural disease in subjects exposed to asbestos is significantly related to the presence of chest pain, particularly anginal pain.

Prospective study of diet, lifestyle, and intermittent claudication in male smokers.

The association between dietary and lifestyle factors and intermittent claudication was investigated in the Finnish Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. The cohort comprised 26,872 male smokers aged 50-69 years who were free of claudication at study entry. At baseline (1985-1988), subjects completed a diet history questionnaire. During a median follow-up period of 4 years (ending in spring 1993), 2,578 men reported symptoms of claudication on the Rose questionnaire, which was administered annually. Smoking status was assessed every 4 months. Smoking, systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus were positively associated with risk for claudication, whereas serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol, education, and leisure time exercise were inversely associated with risk. Dietary carbohydrates, fiber, and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were inversely associated with risk for claudication, as were some dietary and serum antioxidants: dietary vitamin C (highest quartile vs. lowest: relative risk (RR) = 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77, 0.97), dietary gamma-tocopherol (RR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.00), dietary carotenoids (RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.92), serum alpha-tocopherol (RR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.00), and serum beta-carotene (RR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.86). Smoking cessation reduced subsequent risk for claudication (RR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.99). The authors conclude that classical risk factors for atherosclerosis are associated with claudication. High intakes of antioxidant vitamins may be protective. Further research is needed before antioxidants can be recommended for the prevention of intermittent claudication.

Declining prevalence of angina pectoris in middle-aged men and women. A population-based study within the Northern Sweden MONICA Project. Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Cardiovascular Disease.

To describe trends in the prevalence of angina pectoris in northern Sweden, between 1986 and 1994. Cross-sectional population studies. Northern Sweden MONICA Project in Norrbotten and Västerbotten counties, Sweden. Randomly selected men and women in the age group 35-64 years, total of 2459 men and women. Comparison of the prevalence of angina pectoris in 1986 and 1994 as measured by the Rose questionnaire. The proportion with a history of myocardial infarction decreased amongst the participants from 4.6% to 2.0% (P < 0.001) between 1986 and 1994. The prevalence of angina pectoris in men was essentially unchanged (3.4% in 1986 to 3.1% in 1994 (chi2 = 0.02; P = 0.87), whereas it declined significantly in women from 5. 9% to 2.8% (chi2 = 6.32; P = 0.01). In both men and women, the highest prevalence of Rose-positive persons was found in the oldest age group. In 1986 the Rose-positive subgroup had a significantly higher proportion with high cholesterol (>/=6.5 mmol L-1) as compared with the Rose-negative subgroup, 64% vs. 48% (chi2 = 5.04; P = 0.02). In both surveys high blood pressure was more common in the Rose-positive group (1986: chi2 = 13.2; P < 0.001 and 1994: chi2 = 9.8; P = 0.002). In women, but not in men, the prevalence of angina pectoris decreased significantly between 1986 and 1994. During the same time period the proportion of people with high cholesterol decreased in northern Sweden. In both surveys, individuals with angina pectoris had more frequent hypertension.

Rose Questionnaire Angina in Younger Men and Women: Gender Differences in the Relationship to Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Other Reported Symptoms

Cross-sectional data from the Whitehall II study baseline were used to identify factors that may lead to the high levels of Rose angina reporting in women. 134 (4.0%) of 3350 women and 164 (2.4%) of 6830 men reported angina (P < 0.001). Women with Rose angina had a poorer cardiovascular risk profile (degree of obesity, serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, blood pressure) and more electrocardiogram abnormalities (ST and T changes) than women without angina, but the associations were generally weaker than in men. Women who reported many other physical symptoms had a high prevalence of Rose angina (9.7%). Adjustment for symptom reporting reduced the age-adjusted gender difference to odds ratio (OR) = 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56–1.56) for subjects with no symptoms, and to OR = 1.42 (95% CI = 1.05–1.90) for subjects at the upper quartile of symptom score. Among women a high level of general symptom reporting was associated with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) minor psychiatric morbidity (51.9% prevalence), but GHQ caseness does not appear to be a predictor of Rose angina (OR 1.22 [0.67–2.21]) in this group. Coronary artery disease risk is raised in women with Rose angina, and this remains true in groups with high levels of general symptom reporting.

Does nibbling or grazing protect the peripheral arteries from atherosclerosis?

It has been suggested that frequent food intake is metabolically advantageous. We investigated whether meal frequency was associated with the development of peripheral arterial disease among smokers. Hospital-based case-control study of smokers, recruited from outpatient clinics and inpatient wards at two London teaching hospitals. Two-hundred and ninety-one smokers, newly referred with peripheral arterial disease (cases) and 828 age- and sex-matched smokers without smoking-related disorders and with negative Rose questionnaire responses for intermittent claudication (controls) were recruited. All cases and controls completed a validated questionnaire concerning dietary habits. Odds ratios for peripheral arterial disease in association with several dietary variables were calculated, after adjustment for confounding variables. After adjustment for age, sex, pack-years of smoking, diabetes, hypertension and body mass index, the odds ratio for peripheral arterial disease among those smokers eating between meals (grazing) compared with those who did not, was 0.54 (95% confidence interval 0.42-0.83; P < 0.001). Among cases and controls, grazing was also associated with significantly lower plasma cholesterol concentrations (median 5.67 mmol/l in grazers compared with 6.08 mmol/l in non-grazers; P < 0.001) in those with apparently similar overall fat intakes. Neither plasma lipoprotein (a) nor fibrinogen concentrations varied with meal frequency. In smokers, grazing was associated with a reduced risk of developing symptomatic peripheral atherosclerosis. This is the first study to demonstrate the apparent benefits of grazing on a cardiovascular end-point.

Prevalence of angina pectoris in Spain. PANES Study group.

The frequency of coronary heart disease in a community is usually measured by myocardial infarction incidence and mortality rates. The measurement of the prevalence of angina pectoris may, however, become a convenient way of assessing coronary heart disease morbidity in the future. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of angina and validity of the Rose questionnaire in the Spanish population aged from 45 to 74 years. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10,248 subjects (45-74 years), representative of the Spanish population. The WHO Rose questionnaire was used and a construct validation against regional mortality rates and cardiovascular risk factor prevalence was devised. The overall angina prevalence increased with age both in men and women, but was higher in the latter (7.3% and 7.7%, respectively). Angina prevalence also increased with the number of cardiovascular risk factors present and correlated with regional CHD mortality rates (r = 0.66). Sensitivity and specificity results of the Rose questionnaire were low when tested against exercise test (52.9% and 52.1%, respectively). As conclusions, Rose questionnaire is a reliable tool for assessing angina prevalence in the Spanish population which is similar to that of other industrialized countries with higher myocardial infarction morbidity and mortality.

Prevalencia de angina y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en las diferentes comunidades autónomas de España: estudio PANES

The study of angina prevalence has received little attention in the analysis of the dimension of coronary heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of angina and cardiovascular risk factors in the 45- to 74-year-old population of the different autonomous regions of Spain. A sample of 10,248 subjects was recruited. Sampling was stratified by gender and age groups (45-54, 55-64 and 65 to 74 years), and proportional to the population distribution of the different autonomous regions. A multistage sampling was performed, firstly 200 villages were randomly selected, secondly three different socio-economic household were chosen. Sample unit was neighbouring households. Rose questionnaire of angina and a structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic and risk factor variables were administered. Angina prevalence in the 45- to 74-year-old Spanish population was 7.5%. The autonomous regions with the higher and lower prevalence were Baleares (11.4%) and Basque Country (3.1%), respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between angina prevalence and ischemic heart disease or cardiovascular disease mortality in men and women was 0.52 and 0.55, and 0.31 and 0.44, respectively. The self reported prevalence of hypertension, dyslipemia, diabetes and smoking was 31.1%, 24.2%, 14.3% and 34.6% respectively. Angina prevalence in Spain is similar to that of developed countries although significant differences were observed among the autonomous regions of Spain. These differences correlate with those observed in ischemic heart disease or cardiovascular mortality among them and are associated with the cardiovascular risk factors prevalence which also varies among communities.

High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Gerona, Spain, a province with low myocardial infarction incidence. REGICOR Investigators.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of main cardiovascular risk factors in the province of Gerona, where the incidence of myocardial infarction is known to be low. DESIGN: This was...

Cross sectional observation of the effects of carbon disulphide on arteriosclerosis in rayon manufacturing workers.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective cohort study was designed to clarify the relations between occupational exposure to carbon disulphide (CS2) and its effects on arteriosclerosis in workers in 11 Japanese rayon manufacturing...

Epidemiology and prognosis of peripheral obliterative arteriopathy

Peripheral arterial disease has received less attention from epidemiologists than coronary and cerebrovascular disease. Prevalence and incidence data typically show that peripheral arterial disease increases with age, is more common in men than women, and that symptomatic disease is only the tip of the iceberg. Studies concerning the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease rely mainly on the Rose questionnaire, which is used to screen for intermittent claudication, and on the ankle/brachial index, used to detect asymptomatic disease. Although there is a certain parallel between the 2 sets of data, the figures for asymptomatic disease consistently surpass those for clinical disease, and there is a wide variation between frequencies obtained in individual studies. In general, the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease is estimated to be under 2% for men aged less than 50 years, increasing to over 5% in those aged more than 70 years. Women reach these rates almost 10 years after men, although this gender difference decreases with increasing age. Figures for incidence follow a similar trend. The incidence of chronic critical ischaemia is estimated to be between 0.05% and 0.1% of the population. Asymptomatic disease detected with noninvasive tests is 3 to 4 times more frequent than intermittent claudication: its prevalence increases from under 5% for individuals aged less than 50 years to over 20% for individuals aged more than 70 years. The classical risk factors for atherosclerosis also apply to peripheral arterial disease, although their order of importance may be different from that for coronary and carotid disease. Several studies have shown that peripheral arterial disease correlates most strongly with cigarette smoking. Smoking is also the single greatest predictor of the progression of peripheral arterial disease. Other risk factors include hypertension, raised lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides for severe disease), diabetes, increased plasma viscosity, fibrinogen and homocysteine levels. Divergent views have been expressed in individual epidemiological studies with regard to the respective contribution of these risk factors to the development and progression of peripheral arterial disease. The natural history of peripheral arterial disease is characterised by a relatively benign local evolution. It can be estimated that, in general, 3 of 4 men presenting with intermittent claudication will never have a serious problem necessitating vascular intervention, and that no more than 5% are ever likely to require a major amputation. However, the underlying atherosclerotic pathology progresses with time: nondiseased arteries become obliterated and disease with an initially unilateral pattern frequently progresses to become bilateral. In addition, the few patients who do progress to critical ischaemia are at a significantly higher risk of amputation. The general prognosis for patients with peripheral arterial disease is particularly negative. There is a high prevalence of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease in such patients, although the exact percentages depend on the patient population selected and on the method used for their evaluation. Coronary heart disease is detected in 40 to 60% of patients through a medical history combined with electrocardiography, while systematic coronary angiography detects coronary heart disease in 90% of those undergoing surgery. Although few patients with peripheral arterial disease have a history of stroke, in studies of surgical patients almost 30% appear to have significant extracranial disease. Patients with peripheral arterial disease have a poor life expectancy: the mortality rate is 3 to 5% per year in those with intermittent claudication and 20% per year in those with critical ischaemia. Coronary heart disease accounts for half of the total mortality, while vascular disease in general accounts for almost two-thirds.

Contribution of job control and other risk factors to social variations in coronary heart disease incidence

The first Whitehall Study showed an inverse social gradient in mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) among British civil servants--namely, that there were higher rates in men of lower employment grade. About a quarter of this gradient could be attributed to coronary risk factors. We analysed 5-year CHD incidence rates from the Whitehall II study to assess the contribution to the social gradient of psychosocial work environment, social support, coronary risk factors, and physical height. Data were collected in the first three phases of examination of men and women in the Whitehall II study. 7372 people were contacted on all three occasions. Mean length of follow-up was 5.3 years. Characteristics from the baseline, phase 1, questionnaire, and examination were related to newly reported CHD in people without CHD at baseline. Three self-reported CHD outcomes were examined: angina and chest pain from the Rose questionnaire, and doctor-diagnosed ischaemia. The contribution of different factors to the socioeconomic differences in incident CHD was assessed by adjustment of odds ratios. Compared with men in the highest grade (administrators), men in the lowest grade (clerical and office-support staff) had an age-adjusted odds ratio of developing any new CHD of 1.50. The largest difference was for doctor-diagnosed ischaemia (odds ratio for the lowest compared with the highest grade 2.27). For women, the odds ratio in the lowest grade was 1.47 for any CHD. Of factors examined, the largest contribution to the socioeconomic gradient in CHD frequency was from low control at work. Height and standard coronary risk factors made smaller contributions. Adjustment for all these factors reduced the odds ratios for newly reported CHD in the lowest grade from 1.5 to 0.95 in men, and from 1.47 to 1.07 in women. Much of the inverse social gradient in CHD incidence can be attributed to differences in psychosocial work environment. Additional contributions were made by coronary risk factors--mainly smoking--and from factors that act early in life, as represented by physical height.

Prevalence and prediction of silent ischaemia in diabetes mellitus: a population-based study.

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of silent ischaemia in diabetic subjects in the population, to compare the prevalence of silent ischaemia in diabetics and non-diabetics and to attempt to predict the presence of silent ischaemia in diabetic subjects. A random sample of 120 users of insulin and 120 users of oral hypoglycaemic agents aged 40-75 years living in the Danish municipality of Horsens were asked to participate in the study. Corresponding to the youngest half of the sample two non-diabetic controls were randomly selected from the Central Population Register. ST-depression of horizontal or descending character of at least 0.1 mV measured 80 ms after the J-point on either exercise ECG or Holter ECG was considered indicative of myocardial ischaemia. Angina pectoris was considered present if the Rose questionnaire was positive, or chest pain was registered simultaneously with ECG evidence of ischaemia. Individuals with ischaemia, but without angina pectoris, were defined as persons with silent ischaemia. Seventy-four percent of the invited group were included. The observed prevalence of silent ischaemia in diabetics was 13.5% (95% CI = 8.5-19.8%). No association was found between silent ischaemia and gender (P = 0.83) or diabetes type (P = 0.67). In the group of diabetics who had controls, the prevalence was 11.4%, and among the controls the prevalence was 6.4% (OR = 1.87, one-sided P = 0.079). Systolic blood pressure was highly predictive of silent ischaemia in the diabetic subjects (P = 0.005). No predictive value could be shown for other variables. This is the first population-based study of silent ischaemia in diabetes. The prevalence of silent ischaemia in diabetic subjects was 13.5%. The frequency of silent ischaemia did not differ significantly between diabetics and non-diabetics. Systolic blood pressure was predictive of silent ischaemia in diabetes.

Low job control and risk of coronary heart disease in whitehall ii (prospective cohort) study

Objective: To determine the association between adverse psychosocial characteristics at work and risk of coronary heart disease among male and female civil servants.Design: Prospective cohort study (Whitehall II study). At...

Repeatability and validity of the Rose questionnaire for angina pectoris in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Angina pectoris (AP) as determined by the Rose questionnaire was assessed in nearly 16,000 black and white men and women participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, a population study of cardiovascular disease in four communities. The questionnaire was administered at yearly intervals and estimates of repeatability were made. Validity was assessed indirectly by comparing Rose AP to risk factors, prevalent heart disease, medication use, and thickness of carotid artery walls as measured by B-mode ultrasound. Using κ statistics for agreement of positive Rose AP determinations taken 1 year apart, white men show a higher level of agreement than white women (average κ 0.36 for white men, 0.30 for white women), and whites show a higher level of agreement than blacks (average κ 0.23 and 0.22 for black men and women, respectively). Rose AP that persists for more than one determination is associated with thicker carotid artery walls, greater amounts of cigarette smoking, greater prevalence of reported heart attack, and greater use of chest pain medications. A single determination of severe Rose AP is also associated with thicker carotid artery walls. These data suggest that multiple reports and the more severe grading of Rose AP (pain reported while walking on the level) are likely to indicate more severe disease; however, a single report using the Rose questionnaire appears valid, i.e., moderately associated with disease and risk factors, and appropriate for use in epidemiological studies.

Angina pectoris by Rose questionnaire does not predict cardiovascular disease in treated hypertensive patients.

To determine the predictive value of angina pectoris diagnosed by Rose questionnaire for cardiovascular disease among treated hypertensives. The cardiovascular experience of 4093 patients who had no history of cardiovascular disease and had been administered the Rose questionnaire for angina in a worksite treatment program was evaluated. Among 2659 men and 1434 women of similar age (53 versus 54 years), the race distribution was 44 versus 31% whites, 27 versus 41% blacks and 29 versus 28% Hispanics. Overall, the prevalence of angina by Rose questionnaire in women (15%) was twice that in men (7%) in all three races, with Hispanics having the highest (20 versus 10%) prevalence. Those with angina (Rose-plus) and those without (Rose-minus) had similar initial and final blood pressures. In 4.0 years of average follow-up study, the crude incidence rates (per 1000 person-years) of the recorded 120 myocardial infarctions and 35 strokes did not differ significantly between Rose-plus and Rose-minus patients, except for myocardial infarction in Hispanic men (20.5 versus 5.9). When myocardial infarction incidence was adjusted for age within each sex-race subgroup, only Rose-plus Hispanic men had a significantly greater relative risk with Rose-minus as referent (relative risk 3.13, 95% confidence interval 1.31-7.50). Overall, in the Cox proportional hazards regression model, angina by Rose questionnaire was not predictive of myocardial infarction after accounting for other recognized risk factors. The present data suggest that the Rose questionnaire as a diagnostic tool for angina is not predictive of subsequent clinical events among treated hypertensive patients.

Somatic awareness and coronary artery disease in women with chest pain

To determine if there was a relationship between level of somatic awareness and coronary artery disease (CAD) in women with chest pain. Descriptive, correlational study. Urban, university-affiliated, tertiary care hospital. Fifty-five women without a previous history of heart disease admitted to the hospital for evaluation of chest pain. Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ); Patterson and Horowitz clinical criteria for classification of chest pain; Supplemented Rose Questionnaire for angina; age; and CAD risk factors. A small but significant inverse correlation was found between level of somatic awareness as measured by MSPQ scores and degree of CAD (r = 0.2932, p < 0.05). MSPQ scores significantly differed between women with CAD (lower scores) and women without CAD (higher scores) (p < 0.05). MSPQ score was the most important factor in a logistic regression model that modestly but significantly predicted presence or absence of CAD. Somatic awareness may be an important factor to consider in evaluating the awareness and response of women to symptoms of myocardial ischemia and to chest pain of both cardiac and noncardiac etiologies.

Helicobacter pylori infection: relation with cardiovascular risk factors, ischaemic heart disease, and social class.

To determine whether Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the development of ischaemic heart disease and whether such infection can explain the social class inequality in ischaemic heart disease. Cardiovascular risk factor levels, prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (Rose questionnaire angina, and/or a history of myocardial infarction), and serum antibodies to H pylori (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) were assessed in a cross sectional population based survey. Belfast and surrounding districts, Northern Ireland. 1182 men and 1198 women aged 25-64 years randomly selected from the Central Services Agency's general practitioner lists. The relation of H pylori infection with cardiovascular risk factors and ischaemic heart disease. The association of social class with ischaemic heart disease. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma viscosity, and total cholesterol were not associated with H pylori infection. A weak negative association existed between H pylori infection and fibrinogen (mean (SE) difference in fibrinogen between infected and uninfected individuals -0.09 (0.04) g/l, P = 0.02) and between infection in women and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (mean (SE) difference in HDL cholesterol between infected and uninfected individuals -0.06 (0.02) mmol/l, P = 0.006). A potentially important association was demonstrated between H pylori infection and ischaemic heart disease but this did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51 (0.93 to 2.45), P = 0.1). Social class was associated with ischaemic heart disease independently of cardiovascular risk factors and H pylori infection (odds ratio, manual v non-manual (95% CI) 1.82 (1.14 to 2.91), P = 0.01). H pylori may be independently associated with the development of ischaemic heart disease but if this is so the mechanism by which this effect is exerted is not through increased concentration of plasma fibrinogen. H pylori infection does not explain the social class inequality in ischaemic heart disease which exists independently of known cardiovascular risk factors.

Cholesterol Rich apo B Containing Lipoproteins and Smoking are Independently Associated with Macrovascular Disease in Normotensive NIDDM Patients

A cross-sectional study of macrovascular disease (MVD) and associated metabolic and other risk factors was conducted in 87 normotensive NIDDM patients. MVD was assessed by Rose questionnaire, 12 lead resting ECG, duplex scanning of carotid and peripheral vessels, and ankle:brachial systolic blood pressure ratio. Fasting serum total cholesterol, total triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apolipoproteins AI and B, lipoprotein (a), HbA1, plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide responses to a carbohydrate rich meal, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, urinary albumin excretion rate, blood pressure, smoking and family history were assessed as possible 'risk factors'. Apolipoprotein:lipid ratios were calculated to estimate lipoprotein composition. Thirty-six patients had demonstrable MVD. The presence of MVD was associated with higher total triglycerides (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), a lower apo B:non HDL cholesterol ratio (p < 0.001), and smoking (p < 0.005) but no other measures. Multiple regression analysis revealed smoking and a low apo B:non HDL cholesterol to be independently associated with MVD. The low apo B:non HDL cholesterol suggests a high cholesterol content of apo B containing lipoproteins. This lipoprotein abnormality is not a feature of NIDDM, but when present in these patients may be particularly atherogenic.

Prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and association with risk factors in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease was evaluated among the 5,201 adults aged > or = 65 years in four communities participating in the Cardiovascular Health Study from June 1989 through May 1990. A combined index based on electrocardiogram and echocardiogram abnormalities, carotid artery wall thickness and stenosis based on carotid ultrasound, decreased ankle-brachial blood pressure, and positive response to a Rose Questionnaire for angina or intermittent claudication defined subclinical disease. The prevalence of subclinical disease was 36% in women and 38.7% in men and increased with age. Among women, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, and cigarette smoking were positively associated, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol negatively associated, with subclinical disease. In men, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, and cigarette smoking were independent risk factors in multiple logistic regression analyses. The risk factors for subclinical disease are, therefore, similar to those for clinical disease at younger ages, especially among women. It is possible that older individuals with subclinical disease are at very high risk of developing clinical disease and that more aggressive interventions to prevent clinical disease should be oriented to individuals with subclinical disease.