Twenty five year trends in prevalence of smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors among Siberian adolescent population (1989-2014)

Denisova, Diana

INTRODUCTION: Smoking and other CVD risk factors (overweight, hypertension and dyslipidemia) are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Russia. Control of the risk factors from adolescence may reduce cardiovascular events in adulthood. During the 1990s Russian population has been exposed to major political, economic and social changes.

METHODS: To assess trends in CVD risk factors six cross-sectional population surveys of representative samples of schoolchildren aged 14-17 of both sexes were conducted from 1989 to 2014 in Novosibirsk (Russia). This time period included years of Russian reforms. Total study sample was 4011 adolescents (43% boys), response rate - 88-93%. Self-reported smoking (1 cig/week and more) was registered. Blood total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by enzymatic methods. Prevalence of dyslipidemia was evaluated with NCEP-peds criteria. Overweight was defined with the sex- and age-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs recommended by the IOTF. Hypertension (HT) was revealed with the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (4^th report) criteria.

RESULTS: During 1989-2014 the prevalence of regular smoking among boys declined from 45 to 18%, among girls - from 19 to 13%. Mean levels of TC decreased significantly in both gender groups. The greatest decrease in total cholesterol observed in the period from 1989 to 1999. Mean values of HDL-C for the 25-year period did not changed. Frequency of hypercholesterolemia for this time has fallen by more than 5 times. 25-year trends of HT have shown double decreasing during the reform period and stabilization in the post-reform time. Prevalence of HT was 5-fold increased in boys and 3-fold increased in girls from lowest BMI to highest.

CONCLUSIONS: Data from Novosibirsk indicate a downward trend of smoking, overweight, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in the adolescent population. Reducing CVD risk factors in adolescents can lead in 20-30 years to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Russia.