PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Pardell

Publications and source records attributed to H Pardell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Smoking cessation program using nicotine patch among physicians and pharmacists of Catalonia: results after 3-12 months].

Smoking abstinence rates of a group of 300 physicians and pharmacists of Catalonia (Spain) who participated in an open non-controlled follow-up design study with nicotine patch, are presented. Were eligible all the individuals who regularly smoke more than 15 cigarettes/day and get Fagerström Test score of 5 or more. Those who smoke more than 20 cig/day were offered a 3-month 24-hour transdermal nicotine treatment (30-20-10 schedule) and those smoking between 15 and 20 cig/day, received the 20-20-10 schedule. A follow up of participants was carried out at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. After one year, 12 participants (4%) were dropped out. The overall abstinence rates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were respectively 55.9% (IC95%: 50.2-61.6), 42.7% (IC95%: 37.0-48.4), 35.4% (IC95% 29.9-40.9), 33.7% (IC95%: 28.2-39.2). Among predictive cessation variables, only those who had mad 1 to 3 previous attempts and those with only "cold turkey" (or slow reduction) quit experience, obtained statistically better results at 3 months. These results seem to be as good as or even better than those obtained in other similar studies with nicotine patch.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

[Response of arterial pressure to mental stress in young patients with high or mild arterial hypertension. Does it reflect the changes in arterial pressure observed during its ambulatory monitoring?].

BACKGROUND: The use of cardiovascular reactivity tests in the laboratory is based on their probable capacity to predict blood pressure response in stress situations of everyday life. These responses may be estimated from the values obtained by out patient monitorization or blood pressure (OPMBP). METHODS: OPMBP was carried out over 24 hours by Spacelabs 90202 monitor in 57 subjects from 18-40 years of age with high or slightly high blood pressure (mean blood pressure diagnosed 143 +/- 12/91 +/- 8 mmHg) with a Quetelet index of 25.8 +/- 9 kg/m2. Two mental stress tests were applied: the mental arithmetic test (MAT) and a structured interview (SI) in 38 patients with high or slightly high blood pressure (HBP) and to 18 healthy normotense subjects of the same age group. RESULTS: The increases in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) observed during MAT and SI were similar: r = 0.88 and r = 0.68, respectively (p < 0.0001, both). The percentage of hyperreactive subjects, defined as those presenting an absolute increase in SBP > or = 25 mmHg and/or an increase of DBP > or = 15 mmHg was greater between those with slightly high blood pressure (70%) and high blood pressure (43%) in both tests than among the normotense subjects of the control groups (28%) (p < 0.05). Upon study of the relation between response to BP during the mental stress tests and the values of BP obtained with OPBPM, a positive correlation was found between the increase in DBP in MAT and the SI and mean 24 hour DBP (r = 0.39 and r = 0.45, p < 0.025 and p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The correlation of the absolute increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during two different mental stress tests in young subjects with high or slightly high blood pressure is very high. The correlation between the increase in blood pressure to mental stress in the laboratory and the blood pressure values obtained during non invasive out patient monitorization was found to be only intermediate for diastolic blood pressure nad null for systolic blood pressure in this study.

Adolescent↗

Adverse effects of direct-acting vasodilators.

Direct-acting vasodilating agents enter the vascular smooth muscle cell to cause vasodilatation. For long term treatment of hypertension, the use of these drugs as monotherapy is accompanied by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. These counteracting mechanisms limit the antihypertensive efficacy of these drugs, and cause adverse effects such as tachycardia and fluid retention. These adverse effects require treatment with beta-blockers and diuretics. However, there is still an important role for intravenous vasodilator therapy in hypertensive emergencies. In the treatment of chronic heart failure, vasodilator therapy has been an important advance. Combination therapy with hydralazine and nitrates is efficacious in improving survival, but ACE inhibitors have an incremental benefit on survival over this combination.

Humans↗

[The association between arterial hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia in a sample of the adult population of Catalonia].

BACKGROUND: The Framingham's study has demonstrated that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases increases when several risk factors are present. In this study, the association between the main cardiovascular risk factors has been studied in a random sample from the adult population of Catalonia. METHODS: A random sample was obtained (n = 314) from the adult population of Catalonia and univariate and multivariate statistical procedures were used to analyze the association between the following risk factors: HDL, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, diabetes and tobacco consumption. RESULTS: A simple correlation was observed between most of the risk factors. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that both the diastolic and systolic arterial pressures were correlated with total levels of cholesterol, body mass index and age (r = 0.65 for SAP and r = 0.48 for DAP); levels of total cholesterol were correlated with levels of triglycerides and age (r = 0.57); levels of triglycerides were correlated with levels of total cholesterol and cholesterol-HDL, body mass index and age (r = 0.61); body mass index was correlated with levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, cholesterol-HDL and age (r = 0.52) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes was higher and the prevalence of tobacco consumption was lower among the hypertensives (SAP > 140 and/or DAP > 90 mm Hg) than among normotensives, being the odds ratio 3.56 (2-6.33) for hypercholesterolemia; 3.65 (1.66-8.09) for obesity; 3.70 (1.06-13.45) for diabetes and 0.40 (0.22-0.72) for tobacco consumption. The adjusted odds ratio derived from multiple logistic regression analysis was 2.52 (1.38-4.64) for hypercholesterolemia; 2.40 (1.05-5.46) for obesity, 1.74 (0.50-6.04) for diabetes and 0.63 (0.33-1.20) for tobacco consumption, being statistically significant in the case of hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.002) and obesity (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: We have observed an association between the cardiovascular risk factors analyzed. This association may be attributed to several physiological mechanisms and life-styles, which may influence the development of atherosclerosis and increase the cardiovascular risk.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Catalonia (Spain).

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most important public health problems in developed countries. We have studied the epidemiology of the following cardiovascular disease risk factors in a random sample (n = 704) of the adult population of Catalonia (Spain): hypercholesterolemia (> or = 6.1) mmol/l or 240 mg/dl), hypertension (SBP > or = 160 and/or DBP > or = 95 mmHg), low HDL-cholesterol concentrations (< 0.9 mmol/l or 35 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia (> 2.8 mmol/l or 250 mg/dl), obesity (BMI > 30), smoking and history of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Two percent of participants had hypertriglyceridemia, 3% had a history of coronary heart disease, 4% a history of diabetes, 6% low HDL-cholesterol concentrations, 12% were obese, 20% had hypertension, 24% had hypercholesterolemia and 36% were smokers. 58% of hypertensive individuals had been previously detected, 46% were currently on treatment, and 21% had their blood pressure controlled (SBP < 160 and DBP < 95 mmHg). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the association between cardiovascular risk factors. Multiple linear regression analysis showed independent correlations between risk factors. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes was higher and prevalence of smoking was lower in hypertensives than normotensives. The odds ratio was 3.68 (95% CI = 2.07-6.54) for hypercholesterolemia, 3.26 (95% CI = 1.52-7.02) for obesity, 3.81 (95% CI = 1.09-7.02) for diabetes and 0.40 (95% CI = 0.22-0.70) for smoking. The adjusted odds ratio was statistically significant for hypercholesterolemia (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.01-3.75). The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was similar to that observed in other Mediterranean communities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Mortality in hypertensive patients in Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona (Spain).

A retrospective cohort study was carried out on 729 hypertensive patients (male and female 40 years and older) in Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona, Spain) to assess possible differences between the mortality of this group of hypertensives and the general population of the same area matched by age and sex. Patient mortality was assessed during a six year period, resulting in a mean follow-up of 2.6 years at the end of the study. The results reflect an increased risk of dying among hypertensives compared with the general population, with standardised mortality ratio by age and sex of 1.88 (95% confidence interval 1.21-2.44). Cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher for males, while noncardiovascular mortality was significantly higher for females. The study also shows that the presence of smoking habit, diabetes or hyperglycaemia, uncontrolled hypertension and age > or = 60 years can increase the risk of dying among hypertensive patients. Although a higher level of BP control is achieved in hypertension hospital clinics than in the primary health care system, the study shows that hypertensives have an excess of mortality than expected considering their own general population by age and sex.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular mortality trends in Spain and Catalonia. Comparisons with Europe.

Cardiovascular mortality trends in Spain during the last 15 years have been reviewed and compared with those observed in other European countries. Future coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality trends in Catalonia have been estimated, and its expected evolution with intervention programmes on the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia is discussed. The main conclusions are: (a) a reduction in stroke and no changes in CHD mortality in Spain and Catalonia has been observed during recent years; (b) this evolution was similar to that observed in other European countries; (c) Spain, like other Mediterranean countries, shows a peculiar cardiovascular mortality pattern with predominance of stroke over CHD; (d) no spectacular changes in CHD mortality trends during the next few years can be expected in Catalonia, but reductions in the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia may contribute to modify the stable CHD mortality trends.

Adult↗

[Lipid distribution in the adult population of Catalonia].

BACKGROUND: High concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol and low concentrations of HDL-cholesterol are related to morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. In this study, lipid concentration, prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and the association between hypercholesterolemia and other cardiovascular risk factors was investigated in a random sample of adult population of Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: A random sample of adult population of Catalonia aged 16 or more years was obtained. The sample was of 314 individuals, 156 men and 158 women. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were determined. Other cardiovascular risk factors were investigated: hypertension, smoking, body mass index, history of diabetes, and history of coronary heart disease. RESULTS: Total and LDL-cholesterol levels were similar in both sexes, with a mean of 211 mg/dl for the first 140 mg/dl for the latter. In contrast, triglyceride levels were higher in men (95 mg/dl) than in women (70 mg/dl), and HDL-cholesterol levels were higher in women (60 mg/dl) than in men (51 mg/dl) (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides concentration increased with age in both sexes. Total cholesterol values were > or = 240 mg/dl in 25% of men and 24% of women. Individuals with hypercholesterolemia had a higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity and diabetes was than normocholesterolemic individuals. The odds ratio was 3.68 for hypertension, 1.89 for obesity and 1.99 for diabetes. The adjusted odds ratio was statistically significant for hypertension (OR adj. = 2.77). CONCLUSION: The distribution of lipid values observed in the adult population of Catalonia was similar to that observed in other Mediterranean populations.

Adolescent↗

[The cost of arterial hypertension in Spain].

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure has a high incidence and produces a high morbidity and mortality due to associated diseases: cerebrovascular disease, ischemic cardiopathy, and cardiac failure. The socioeconomic impact of high blood pressure in Spain was estimated during 1985 in primary, hospitalary and pharmaceutical health care, to provide a framework for decision making and to determine strategies for reducing the costs of this entity. METHODS: The methodology of analysis of the cost of the disease was followed with the aim of quantifying the socioeconomic consequences of an entity, disease or risk factor with prevalence being the focus of the study. RESULTS: The socioeconomic impact estimated was situated between 95,000 and 124,000 millions of pesetas according to the different hypothesis adopted in the analysis of sensitivity. The direct health care costs represented between 2.6 and 3.9% of the global health care costs for Spain in 1985. Health care funding consumed by high blood pressure in primary health care was higher (between 4.5 and 6.7%) than hospital attendance (between 1.0 and 1.5%) and pharmaceutical care (between 2.3 and 3.5%), with respect to the total costs of each category. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of the costs related with high blood pressure in Spain must be obtained from improvement of efficacy of interventions carried out in health care education and primary health care. The economic evaluation of the primary and secondary prevention programs may aid in determining more cost-effective strategies.

Adult↗

[Epidemiology of arterial hypertension in the adult population of Cataluña].

BACKGROUND: The arterial hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases. In this study the epidemiology of hypertension was investigated in a random sample of the adult population of Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: It was obtained a random sample (n = 704) of the adult population of Catalonia aged 15 or more years. The blood pressure was measured and hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) equal or greater to 160 and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) equal or greater to 95 mmHg. The borderline hypertension was defined as a SBP of 140-159 and/or a DBP of 90-95 mmHg. It was studied the association between hypertension and the following cardiovascular risk factors: hypercholesterolemia, obesity, diabetes and smoking. The study was carried out in 1989. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension observed was of 20%. The prevalence increased to 28% when the individuals with borderline hypertension were included. 87 of 144 detected hypertensives (58%) were known hypertensives, 67 (46.5%) received antihypertensive medication, and 30 (21%) were treated and had their blood pressures under control. Individuals with hypertension or borderline hypertension had a greater prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes, and a lower prevalence of smoking than normotensive persons. The odds ratio (hypertensive vs. normotensive persons) was of 3.68 for hypercholesterolemia, 3.26 for obesity, 3.81 for diabetes, and 0.40 for smoking. Nevertheless, the adjusted odds ratio was only statistically significant for the hypercholesterolemia (OR adj = 2.74). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial hypertension is one of the most important public health problems in Catalonia. The percentage of detected, treated and controlled hypertensives should be increased in the following years.

Adolescent↗