Tables of coronary risk evaluation adapted to the Spanish population:: the DORICA study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Independent risk factors (smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus) are direct causes of coronary heart disease and are common in the population. Considering all independent factors together seems to be more appropriate to estimate the global risk of coronary heart disease. The objective of this paper was to estimate the global risk of coronary heart disease based on the Framingham function, adapted to the prevalence of risk factors in Spain. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The prevalence of risk factors in the Spanish population was estimated based on pooled analysis of regional cross-sectional random population surveys. Prevalence estimates and incidence rate of coronary events were replaced in the Framingham equation accordingly. Risk probability for 10 years was estimated and risk tables were designed using a gradual color coding system according to an increasing risk. RESULTS: The estimated attributable fraction (AF) for hypertension in the Spanish population was 26.7% for men and 22.9% women; that for hypercholesterolemia was 15.7% and 12.7% for men and women, respectively. Smoking was identified in the third position of the ranking order for males W 13.13%) and fourth for the female group (AF 3.71%). The prevalence of obesity was 13.2% for men and 17.5% for women. AF for obesity among men was 4% and it was 5% for women. CONCLUSIONS: An adaptation of the Framingham equation according to the prevalence of independent risk factors and incidence of coronary events in the Spanish population is useful to build instruments to estimate the 10-year global risk of coronary heart disease while a specific function based on a well-designed cohort study in not available in Spain.