risk assessment
These last 15 years witnessed the implementation
of large-scale
longitudinal studies providing data on extremely
numerous population samples, with a
follow up of
mortality, fatal
and non fatal
cardiovascular events and cancer. The relevant data,
stored in large databases and including biological samples
preserved at very low temperatures, allowed an in-depth
processing, in particular the realization of risk assessment at national level which
considers differences in age, gender, period of observation and
socio-economic status.
This line of research, included in
Progetto Cuore, pursued the
following objectives:
The value of this study, compared to similar studies carried out in Italy up to now, lies in the fact that the
cohorts were enrolled in recent
years, included women and involved populations living in different
geographic areas of the country. In addition, both fatal and non
fatal events were collected and validated.
The first significant result was the assessment of myocardial
infarction in Italy. This was followed by the implementation of cardiovascular
risk charts based on risk factors (gender, age, history of
diabetes, smoking habit, total serum cholesterol and systolic blood
pressure) and having the following end points: definite and possible
myocardial infarction,
sudden death,
stroke and
revascularization
surgery.
Together with the charts, also
the individual risk score
was developed, a more accurate tool for risk evaluation. In addition
to the risk factors considered by the cardiovascular risk charts,
the latter also takes into account the value of serum HDL
cholesterol and the prescription of anti-hypertensive medications,
an indicator of longstanding hypertension assessment.
