Prevalencia de factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en estudiantes universitarios de Santa Fe (Argentina)

Abstract

Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) causan el 25% de las muertes en el mundo. En América, Argentina ocupa el cuarto lugar. Factores como sedentarismo, tabaquismo, hábitos alimentarios y predisposición genética, serían responsables. El objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia de factores de riesgo (FR) de ECV en estudiantes de Nutrición. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-transversal, en 185 estudiantes, entre 19-30 años. Se midieron peso, talla y circunferencia de cintura (CC). Se interrogó sobre antecedentes familiares de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT), tabaquismo, alcohol y actividad física (AF). Se cuantificó colesterol total (CT), HDL-colesterol (HDL-c), LDL-colesterol (LDL-c), triglicéridos (TG), glucosa, índice de Castelli (IC) y la relación TG/HDL-col. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente con el programa Minitab 16. Resultados: En la población estudiada (21,9 ± 2,9 años) se halló un 75,7% de antecedentes de ECNT. El 8,1% fumaba, el 56,2% tomaba bebidas alcohólicas y la mitad no realizaba AF. El índice de masa corporal mostró 10,3% de sobrepeso y 2,2% de obesidad, y el riesgo cardiovascular según CC fue 9,7%. El parámetro más alterado fue LDL-c (48,1%). El 21,1% presentó hipercolesterolemia y el 22,2%, HDL-col disminuido. El IC fue 3,43 ± 0,96, cuando se evaluó la cifra de riesgo, el 33,3% de los varones y el 18,8% de las mujeres, la superaba. El 11,4% tuvo TG/HDL-col elevado. Hubo asociación entre CC-TG y CC-TG/HDL-col. Conclusiones: Como la mayoría de los FR cardiovascular son modificables, se sugiere establecer programas de educación alimentaria nutricional y promoción de estilos de vida saludable.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause 25% world's deaths. In America, Argentina ranks fourth. Factors such as sedentary lifestyle, smoking habits, eating habits and genetic predisposition, would be responsible. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CVD risk factors (RF) in Nutrition students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in 185 students, aged between 19 and 30 years. Weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured. In addition, they were questioned about family history of chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs), smoking, alcohol and physical activity (PA). Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), glucose, Castelli index (CI) and TG/HDL-c ratio were quantified. Differences in continuous variables between groups were evaluated with t test of Student. The statistical significance level assumed was 5%. Minitab 16 program was used. Results: A 75.7% history of CNCDs was found. The body mass index showed 10.3% of overweight and 2.2% of obesity, and cardiovascular risk according to WC was 9.7%. The most altered parameter was LDL-c (46.9%). 21.1% presented hypercholesterolemia and 21.6%, HDL-c decreased. 13.5% presented CI > 4.5, whereas when the suggested cut-off point was considered for the Argentine population (CIA > 3.25), 39.5% surpassed it. 11.4% had high TG/HDL-c. 8.1% smoked, 56.2% took alcoholic beverages and half did not engage in PA. The RF of CVD that presented statistically significant differences according to sex were overweight, HDL-c and CI, resulting in all the cases most unfavorable in men. Conclusions: Family history of CNCDs, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, hypercholesterolemia with decreased HDL-c, marked elevation of LDL-c and elevated CI was remarkable. As the most of these cardiovascular RF are modifiable, it is suggested to establish nutritional education programs and promotion of healthy lifestyles.