Vilma Dženkevičiūtė

The prevalence of dislipidemia and its relation to other risk factors: a nationwide survey of Lithuania

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its relation to other cardiovascular risk factors in Lithuania. Design & methods: The Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk Primary Prevention program recruited men and women without overt cardiovascular disease. This report describes the group of 23,204 subjects. Results: Dyslipidemia was diagnosed in 89.7% of subjects. All the main cardiovascular risk factors except for smoking were present more often among patients with dyslipidemia. The average number of risk factors (arterial hypertension, abdominal obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, smoking, insufficient physical activity, unbalanced diet and family history of CVD) in subjects with dyslipidemia was 3.09 (compared with 2.42 in subjects without it). Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is a most frequent risk factor among middle-aged Lithuanian subjects without cardiovascular disease and has been diagnosed in nine out of ten subjects.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Lithuanian middle-aged subjects participating in the primary prevention program, analysis of the period 2009–2012

Abstract Background. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and changes of cardiovascular risk factors in the middle-aged Lithuanian subjects after conducting the primary prevention program. Design and methods. Four cross-sectional investigations of cardiovascular risk factors were conducted in 2009 (n = 9625), 2010 (n = 7716), 2011 (n = 5018) and 2012 (n = 4348). The program recruited men aged 40–54 and women aged 50–64 without overt cardiovascular disease. Results. During the period 2009–2012, the mean number of risk factors significantly increased (from 3.95 to 4.03, p < 0.001), while the numbers of people having metabolic syndrome (from 34.1% to 28.7%; p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (from 60.2% to 54.5%; p < 0.001), the average body mass index (BMI) value (from 29.17 to 28.92 kg/m2; p = 0.001) and abdominal obesity (from 48.4% to 45.3%; p < 0.001) significantly decreased. The percentage of subjects with dyslipidemia, as well as the average values of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, remained unchanged. The percentage of smoking subjects have significantly increased (from 19.3% to 22.7%; p < 0.001). Conclusions. The analysis showed that the prevalence of arterial hypertension, metabolic syndrome and obesity in Lithuania is slowly decreasing while conducting the primary prevention program; however, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking are still hard to manage for both genders.

Diagnostic value of electrocardiogram stress testing in patients with metabolic syndrome

Summary Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of exercise stress testing to detect coronary heart disease (CHD) in the group of patients with metabolic syndrome. Design and methods: 2803 patients without prior diagnosis of CHD and identified metabolic syndrome were investigated. Subjects underwent electrocardiogram (ECG) stress testing and, depending on the results, coronary angiography and/or coronary computed tomography angiography to detect hemodynamically significant stenosis. CHD was confirmed, if lumen narrowing ≥ 50% of coronary arteries was found. Results: Exercise stress testing was interpreted as positive in 12% patients (71.7% women and 28.3% men). CHD was diagnosed in 45 patients (1.6%), 23 of them had positive exercise stress testing. ECG stress testing was more frequently positive in patients, who had typical/atypical anginal chest pain, dyspnea and/or non-anginal chest pain, in comparison to asymptomatic patients (16.6% vs 8.9%, p <0.001). CHD was more often diagnosed in symptomatic patients compared to patients with no symptoms (6.1% vs 0.7%, p < 0.001, women 5.3% vs 0.6%, p < 0.001, men respectively 8% vs 0.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Diagnostic value of exercise stress testing for detecting CHD is limited in population with metabolic syndrome. CHD was more prevalent in patients with chest pain or dyspnea than in asymptomatic patients.