Treatment of elevated cholesterol in a representative cross-sectional sample of 4 892 Germans: is there a social gradient?
|
| Title | Treatment of elevated cholesterol in a representative cross-sectional sample of 4 892 Germans: is there a social gradient? |
| Authors | |
| Abstract | Background: effective control of cardiovascular risk factors remains low in most countries and also in Germany. We investigate whether socio-economic status has an impact on the level of medical treatment and control (normalized values) of total cholesterol.Methods: data on blood lipids from 4 892 participants in the last German Health Survey of 1998 are analysed, adjusting for key determinants in logistic regression analyses. Socio-economic status is not determined by educational achievement alone but also including occupation and household income.Results: the actual prevalence of total cholesterol of ≥240 mg/dl was 53.4%. Only 3.6% of prevalent cases are under effective treatment. Less favourable values of total cholesterol and HDL are displayed by males and in lower social groups, while the middle groups are in an intermediate position. Chances to be treated for hypercholesterolemia are significantly less favourable for females (odds ratio (OR) estimate: 0.70) and better for the age bands ≥50 (OR 2.37) and ≥60 (OR 3.57), if a general practitioner is visited (OR 1.77), and if living in Eastern Germany (OR 1.89). However, chances are not significantly different according to social status.Conclusions: statistically significant social group differences cannot be detected at the present low level of effective treatment. This may be different if higher levels of control are achieved. |
| Publisher | PREX |
| Date | 2013-06-18 |
| Source | Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health ONLINE FIRST |
| Rights | • The authors warrant that the manuscript (or its essential substance) has not been published in any language or format and has not been submitted elsewhere for print or electronic publication consideration• The authors warrant that the manuscript does not contain any material the publication of which would violate any copyright or other personal or proprietary right of any person or entity• The authors warrant that there aren’t potential conflicts of interest• The authors will obtain and include with the manuscript written permission from any respective copyright owners for the use of any textual, illustrative, or tabular materials that have been previously published or are otherwise copyrighted and owned by third parties.When the article is accepted for publication. The authors, hereby agree to transfer to Prex s.p.a. all rights, including those pertaining to electronic forms and transmissions, under existing copyright laws.© Prex SpA |