Total cholesterol asset – menopausal women

The comparison of the two OEC/HES surveys (1998-02 and 2008-12) shows that:

in menopausal women (mean age: 62 years old) the mean value of total cholesterol raised from 219 to 226 mg/dl, increasing the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (from 36% to 51%), over the considered decade. On the contrary, the status of hypercholesterolemia control improved: the percentage of well treated subjects increased from 15% to 30%.

Definitions and reference
Hypercholesterolemia was defined as total cholesterol ≥240mg/dl (6.2 mmol/l) or under regular lipid lowering treatment.  Hypercholesterolemic persons were divided into the following groups: ‘not aware’, ‘aware, not treated’, ‘aware, not well treated’ (treated and total cholesterol <240mg/dl — 6.2 mmol/l) and ‘aware, well treated’ (treated and total cholesterol <240mg/dl — 6.2 mmol/l). (“Not aware”: people who had never been told by a doctor or other health professional that are hypercholesterolemic”).

Reference: Giampaoli S, Palmieri L, Donfrancesco C, Lo Noce C, Pilotto L, Vanuzzo D, on behalf of The Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey Research Group. Cardiovascular health in Italy. Ten-year surveillance of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors: Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare/Health Examination Survey 1998–2012. European journal of preventive cardiology 2015;22(2 Suppl):9-37.