Dra. Troncoso-Pantoja, Claudia

Background: Healthy lifestyles are associated with a better metabolic and cardiovascular health profile. Aim: To investigate the association between a lifestyle score and cardiovascular risk in Chilean adults. Material and Methods: A healthy lifestyle score was derived for 2,774 participants in the Chilean National Health Survey 2009-2010 and based on seven modifiable behaviors (salt intake, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, smoking, physical activity and sedentary behaviors). A high score represented a healthier lifestyle whereas a low score represents an unhealthy lifestyle. The association between the lifestyle score and cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome), was explored using logistic regression models. Results: One quartile increment in the healthy lifestyle score was associated with a lower risk for obesity (Odds ratio (OR): 0.82 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.75 to 0.90], p < 0.01), central obesity (OR: 0.88 [95% CI: 0.81 to 0.96], p < 0.01), diabetes (OR: 0.84 [95% CI: 0.75 to 0.95], p < 0.04) and dyslipidemia (OR: 0.90 [95% CI: 0.83 to 0.98], p = 0.01). These results were independent of major confounding factors. Conclusions: The adherence to a healthy lifestyle is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

Background: Menopause exposes women to an increased cardiovascular risk. Aim: To determine the association between menopause and cardiovascular risk factors in Chilean adult women using data from the National Health Survey (NHS) 2016-2017. Material and Methods: Data from 2,139 women over 40 years of age participating in the NHS 2016-2017, with information about menopause and cardiovascular risk factors was used. Expansion factors were applied to this sample, obtaining an expanded sample of 3,733,191 participants. Laboratory values (blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL and total cholesterol) and anthropometric measurements (body weight, height and waist circumference) were analyzed. The presence of hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were also recorded. Results: Sixty seven percent of surveyed women were menopausal and had higher systolic blood pressure than non-menopausal participants. Menopause was significantly associated with hypertension (Odds ratio (OR): 2.43 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.71; 3.45], p < 0.01) and diabetes (OR: 2.05 [95% CI: 1.32; 3.19], p < 0.01). However, no association was observed with obesity, abdominal obesity or MetS. Conclusions: In these women, a positive association was identified between menopause and hypertension as well as diabetes.