Ten-year (2002-2012) cardiovascular disease incidence and all-cause mortality, in urban Greek population: The ATTICA Study

Aim: The 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality, as well as its determinants, in a sample of men and women from Greece, was evaluated. Methods: From May 2001 to December 2002, 1514 men and 1528 women (>18 y) without any clinical evidence of CVD or any other chronic disease, at baseline, living in greater Athens area, in Greece, were enrolled. In 2011-12, the 10-year follow-up was performed in 2583 participants (15% of the participants were lost to follow-up). Incidence of fatal or non-fatal CVD (coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes, stroke, or other CVD) was defined according to World Health Organization (WHO)-International Coding Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria. Results: The 10-year CVD incidence was 19.7% in men and 11.7% in women (p < 0.001). Multi-adjusted analysis revealed that the determinants of CVD events were increased age (Hazard ratio (HR) per year = 1.06, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.04, 1.08), male sex (HR = 1.40, 95%CI: 0.90, 2.19), smoking (HR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.27), C-reactive protein levels (HR per 1 mg/L = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.15), as well as adherence to Mediterranean diet (protective) (HR per 1/55 units = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.95, 1.01). Conclusion: The burden of CVD and its related risk factors is at emerging rates, in Greece, making the need for effective public health actions, more necessary than ever before. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.