Maria Cristina Caetano Kuschnir

Fatores de risco associados à hipertensão arterial em adolescentes

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk factors associated with essential arterial hypertension in adolescents. METHOD A case-control, outpatient-based study of adolescents aged 11 to 19 years treated at the Center for Studies into Adolescent Health (Núcleo de Estudos da Saúde do Adolescente) at the Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro. Nutritional status was assessed by means of body mass index. Data were also obtained on waist circumference, height, family history of arterial hypertension, birth weight and pubertal development. The analysis was performed using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS The study investigated 91 cases and 182 controls. Body mass index was associated with hypertension. Height had a positive association with hypertension only among the girls. There was no evidence of an association between pubertal development or birth weight with arterial hypertension in adolescence. In contrast, family history, particularly when both parents had hypertension, exhibited a robust association, both among the boys (OR = 13.32; 95%CI 2.25-78.94), and the girls (OR = 11.35; 95%CI 1.42-90.21). CONCLUSIONS In our study, overweight, obesity and family history of hypertension (father and mother with hypertension) were the principal risk factors for arterial hypertension in adolescents.

Sampling design for the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA)

O Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adoles-centes (ERICA) objetiva estimar prevalencia de fatores de risco cardiovascular e da sindrome metabolica em adolescentes (12 a 17 anos) matriculados em escolas publicas e privadas dos 273 municipios com mais de 100 mil habitantes no Brasil. A populacao de pesquisa foi estratificada em 32 estratos geograficos (27 capitais e cinco conjuntos com os demais municipios de cada macrorregiao do pais) e uma amostra de 1.251 escolas foi selecionada com probabilidade proporcional ao tamanho. Em cada escola foram selecionadas tres combinacoes de turno (manha e da tarde) e ano (serie), e em cada uma destas combinacoes foi selecionada uma turma. Todos os alunos elegiveis das turmas selecionadas foram objeto de pesquisa. Os pesos amostrais do desenho foram calculados pelo produto dos inversos das probabilidades de inclusao em cada estagio da amostra e foram depois calibrados considerando as projecoes do numero de adolescentes matriculados em escolas localizadas nos estratos geograficos considerados por sexo e idade.The Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) aims to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in adolescents (12-17 years) enrolled in public and private schools of the 273 municipalities with over 100,000 inhabitants in Brazil. The study population was stratified into 32 geographical strata (27 capitals and five sets with other municipalities in each macro-region of the country) and a sample of 1,251 schools was selected with probability proportional to size. In each school three combinations of shift (morning and afternoon) and grade were selected, and within each of these combinations, one class was selected. All eligible students in the selected classes were included in the study. The design sampling weights were calculated by the product of the reciprocals of the inclusion probabilities in each sampling stage, and were later calibrated considering the projections of the numbers of adolescents enrolled in schools located in the geographical strata by sex and age.

Desenho da amostra do Estudo do Risco Cardiovascular em Adolescentes (ERICA)

O Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adoles-centes (ERICA) objetiva estimar prevalencia de fatores de risco cardiovascular e da sindrome metabolica em adolescentes (12 a 17 anos) matriculados em escolas publicas e privadas dos 273 municipios com mais de 100 mil habitantes no Brasil. A populacao de pesquisa foi estratificada em 32 estratos geograficos (27 capitais e cinco conjuntos com os demais municipios de cada macrorregiao do pais) e uma amostra de 1.251 escolas foi selecionada com probabilidade proporcional ao tamanho. Em cada escola foram selecionadas tres combinacoes de turno (manha e da tarde) e ano (serie), e em cada uma destas combinacoes foi selecionada uma turma. Todos os alunos elegiveis das turmas selecionadas foram objeto de pesquisa. Os pesos amostrais do desenho foram calculados pelo produto dos inversos das probabilidades de inclusao em cada estagio da amostra e foram depois calibrados considerando as projecoes do numero de adolescentes matriculados em escolas localizadas nos estratos geograficos considerados por sexo e idade.The Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) aims to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in adolescents (12-17 years) enrolled in public and private schools of the 273 municipalities with over 100,000 inhabitants in Brazil. The study population was stratified into 32 geographical strata (27 capitals and five sets with other municipalities in each macro-region of the country) and a sample of 1,251 schools was selected with probability proportional to size. In each school three combinations of shift (morning and afternoon) and grade were selected, and within each of these combinations, one class was selected. All eligible students in the selected classes were included in the study. The design sampling weights were calculated by the product of the reciprocals of the inclusion probabilities in each sampling stage, and were later calibrated considering the projections of the numbers of adolescents enrolled in schools located in the geographical strata by sex and age.

ERICA: prevalences of hypertension and obesity in Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of arterial hypertension and obesity and the population attributable fraction of hypertension that is due to obesity in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS Data from participants in the Brazilian Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), which was the first national school-based, cross-section study performed in Brazil were evaluated. The sample was divided into 32 geographical strata and clusters from 32 schools and classes, with regional and national representation. Obesity was classified using the body mass index according to age and sex. Arterial hypertension was defined when the average systolic or diastolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to the 95th percentile of the reference curve. Prevalences and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of arterial hypertension and obesity, both on a national basis and in the macro-regions of Brazil, were estimated by sex and age group, as were the fractions of hypertension attributable to obesity in the population. RESULTS We evaluated 73,399 students, 55.4% female, with an average age of 14.7 years (SD = 1.6). The prevalence of hypertension was 9.6% (95%CI 9.0-10.3); with the lowest being in the North, 8.4% (95%CI 7.7-9.2) and Northeast regions, 8.4% (95%CI 7.6-9.2), and the highest being in the South, 12.5% (95%CI 11.0-14.2). The prevalence of obesity was 8.4% (95%CI 7.9-8.9), which was lower in the North region and higher in the South region. The prevalences of arterial hypertension and obesity were higher in males. Obese adolescents presented a higher prevalence of hypertension, 28.4% (95%CI 25.5-31.2), than overweight adolescents, 15.4% (95%CI 17.0-13.8), or eutrophic adolescents, 6.3% (95%CI 5.6-7.0). The fraction of hypertension attributable to obesity was 17.8%. CONCLUSIONS ERICA was the first nationally representative Brazilian study providing prevalence estimates of hypertension in adolescents. Regional and sex differences were observed. The study indicates that the control of obesity would lower the prevalence of hypertension among Brazilian adolescents by 1/5.

ERICA: smoking prevalence in Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalences of tobacco use, tobacco experimentation, and frequent smoking among Brazilian adolescents. METHODS We evaluated participants of the cross-sectional, nation-wide, school-based Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), which included 12- to 17-year-old adolescents from municipalities of over 100 thousand inhabitants. The study sample had a clustered, stratified design and was representative of the whole country, its geographical regions, and all 27 state capitals. The information was obtained with self-administered questionnaires. Tobacco experimentation was defined as having tried cigarettes at least once in life. Adolescents who had smoked on at least one day over the previous 30 days were considered current cigarette smokers. Having smoked cigarettes for at least seven consecutive days was an indicator for regular consumption of tobacco. Considering the complex sampling design, prevalences and 95% confidence intervals were estimated according to sociodemographic and socio-environmental characteristics. RESULTS We evaluated 74,589 adolescents. Among these, 18.5% (95%CI 17.7-19.4) had smoked at least once in life, 5.7% (95%CI 5.3-6.2) smoked at the time of the research, and 2.5% (95%CI 2.2-2.8) smoked often. Adolescents aged 15 to 17 years had higher prevalences for all indicators than those aged 12 to 14 years. The prevalences did not differ significantly between sexes. The highest prevalences were found in the South region and the lowest ones, in the Northeast region. Regardless of sex, the prevalences were found to be higher for adolescents who had had paid jobs, who lived with only one parent, and who reported having been in contact with smokers either inside or outside their homes. Female public school adolescents were found to smoke more than the ones from private schools. CONCLUSIONS Tobacco use among adolescents is still a challenge. Intending to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use among young people, especially the ones under socioeconomic vulnerability conditions, Brazil must consolidate and increase effective public health care measures.

ERICA: prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS We evaluated 37,504 adolescents who were participants in the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a cross-sectional, school-based, national study. The adolescents, aged from 12 to 17 years, lived in cities with populations greater than 100,000 inhabitants. The sample was stratified and clustered into schools and classes. The criteria set out by the International Diabetes Federation were used to define metabolic syndrome. Prevalences of metabolic syndrome were estimated according to sex, age group, school type and nutritional status. RESULTS Of the 37,504 adolescents who were evaluated: 50.2% were female; 54.3% were aged from 15 to 17 years, and 73.3% were from public schools. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 2.6% (95%CI 2.3-2.9), slightly higher in males and in those aged from 15 to 17 years in most macro-regions. The prevalence was the highest in residents from the South macro-region, in the younger female adolescents and in the older male adolescents. The prevalence was higher in public schools (2.8% [95%CI 2.4-3.2]), when compared with private schools (1.9% [95%CI 1.4-2.4]) and higher in obese adolescents when compared with nonobese ones. The most common combinations of components, referring to 3/4 of combinations, were: enlarged waist circumference (WC), low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) and high blood pressure; followed by enlarged WC, low HDL-c and high triglycerides; and enlarged WC, low HDL-c, high triglycerides and blood pressure. Low HDL was the second most frequent component, but the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome (26.8%) was observed in the presence of high triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS ERICA is the first Brazilian nation-wide study to present the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and describe the role of its components. Despite the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome being low, the high prevalences of some components and participation of others in the syndrome composition shows the importance of early diagnosis of this changes, even if not grouped within the metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Comparison of Two Different Diagnostic Criteria

Background: Due to the lack of consensus on its definition, the metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents is not formally recognized. However, several researchers have changed the adult criteria for pediatric standards in order to assess the prevalence. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of MS and its components according to two of the currently used definitions in overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 232 adolescents with excess weight from a public school of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Anthropometric, blood pressure, and biochemical variables were assessed. MS was defined using two different diagnostic criteria: the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Results: MS was diagnosed in 40.4 and 24.6% of obese adolescents and 9.4 and 1.9% of overweight adolescents according to the NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria, respectively. The degree of agreement, assessed by the κ index, from the definitions adopted in this study was 0.48. Conclusion: The results show a significant difference between the two diagnostic criteria. A higher frequency was found when the NCEP-ATPIII was used, which is of concern given the association of MS with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Menstrual Cycle Alterations during Adolescence: Early Expression of Metabolic Syndrome and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the importance of the menstrual pattern as a marker for clinical and laboratory alterations related to metabolic syndrome (MS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among Brazilian adolescents. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING Endocrine Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of the Adolescent Health Studies Center (NESA) at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS 59 girls (12-19 years old) were classified by their menstrual cycles as regular (n = 23) and irregular (n = 36). INTERVENTION None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Biochemical collections were made of peripheral blood after fasting for 12 hours, and the oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g of anhydrous glucose. RESULTS PCOS, MS, and the criteria for MS were significantly more frequent (P < .05) in the subgroup with irregular menstruation. Adolescents with irregular cycles presented a significant increase in waist circumference, glycemia 2 hours after oral glucose overload (2 h), fasting and 2-h insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides. In contrast, the glucose/insulin ratio, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index, and HDL serum levels were significantly lower among patients with irregular menstruation, compared to those with regular cycles. In the logistic regression, we noted that insulin 2 h ≥ 75 μIU/mL (r = 1.90; P = .018), waist circumference > 95 cm (r = 2.21; P = .006) and diagnosis of PCOS (r = 1.93; P = .023) were significantly correlated to irregular cycles. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that close observation of menstrual cycle patterns is an important tool for identifying adolescents at higher risk of developing PCOS and MS.

ERICA: prevalence of dyslipidemia in Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine the distribution of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in Brazilian adolescents, as well as the prevalence of altered levels of such parameters. METHODS Data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA) were used. This is a country-wide, school-based cross-sectional study that evaluated 12 to 17-year old adolescents living in cities with over 100,000 inhabitants. The average and distribution of plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were evaluated. Dyslipidemia was determined by levels of total cholesterol ≥ 170 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol < 45 mg/dL, or triglycerides ≥ 130 mg/dl. The data were analyzed by gender, age, and regions in Brazil. RESULTS We evaluated 38,069 adolescents – 59.9% of females, and 54.2% between 15 and 17 years. The average values found were: total cholesterol = 148.1 mg/dl (95%CI 147.1-149.1), HDL cholesterol = 47.3 mg/dl (95%CI 46.7-47.9), LDL cholesterol = 85.3 mg/dl (95%CI 84.5-86.1), and triglycerides = 77.8 mg/dl (95%CI 76.5-79.2). The female adolescents had higher average levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, without differences in the levels of triglycerides. We did not observe any significant differences between the average values among 12 to 14 and 15- to 17-year old adolescents. The most prevalent lipid alterations were low HDL cholesterol (46.8% [95%CI 44.8-48.9]), hypercholesterolemia (20.1% [95%CI 19.0-21.3]), and hypertriglyceridemia (7.8% [95%CI 7.1-8.6]). High LDL cholesterol was found in 3.5% (95%CI 3.2-4.0) of the adolescents. Prevalence of low HDL cholesterol was higher in Brazil’s North and Northeast regions. CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of Brazilian adolescents has alterations in their plasma lipids. The high prevalence of low HDL cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia, especially in Brazil’s North and Northeast regions, must be analyzed in future studies, to support the creation of strategies for efficient interventions.

ERICA: prevalência de dislipidemia em adolescentes brasileiros

OBJETIVO Determinar a distribuicao de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol e triglicerideos em adolescentes brasileiros, bem como a prevalencia de niveis alterados de tais parâmetros. METODOS Foram utilizados dados do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (ERICA), estudo transversal, de âmbito nacional e base escolar que avaliou adolescentes de 12 a 17 anos, residentes em municipios com mais de 100 mil habitantes. Foi avaliada a media e distribuicao dos niveis plasmaticos de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol e triglicerideos. Dislipidemia foi determinada por niveis de colesterol total ≥ 170 mg/dl, LDL-colesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl, HDL-colesterol < 45 mg/dL ou triglicerideos ≥ 130 mg/dl. Os dados foram analisados por sexo, idade e regioes do Brasil. RESULTADOS Foram avaliados 38.069 adolescentes, 59,9% do sexo feminino; 54,2% com idade entre 15 a 17 anos. Os valores medios encontrados foram: colesterol total 148,1 mg/dl (IC95% 147,1-149,1), HDL-colesterol 47,3 mg/dl (IC95% 46,7-47,9), LDL-colesterol 85,3 mg/dl (IC95% 84,5-86,1), e triglicerideos 77,8 mg/dl (IC95% 76,5-79,2). Adolescentes do sexo feminino apresentaram niveis medios de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol e HDL-colesterol mais elevados, mas sem diferenca nos niveis de triglicerideos. Nao houve diferenca significativa de valores medios entre adolescentes de 12 a 14 e de 15 a 17 anos. As alteracoes com maior prevalencia foram HDL-colesterol baixo (46,8% [IC95% 44,8-48,9]), hipercolesterolemia (20,1% [IC95% 19,0-21,3]) e hipertrigliceridemia (7,8% [IC95% 7,1-8,6]). O LDL-colesterol elevado foi observado em 3,5% (IC95% 3,2-4,0) dos adolescentes. As prevalencias de HDL-colesterol baixo foram mais elevadas nas regioes Norte e Nordeste do Pais. CONCLUSOES Uma parcela significativa dos adolescentes brasileiros apresenta alteracoes dos lipides plasmaticos. A alta prevalencia de HDL-colesterol baixo e a hipertrigliceridemia, sobretudo nas regioes Norte e Nordeste do Brasil, devem ser analisadas em futuros estudos para subsidiar formulacoes de estrategias de intervencoes eficazes.