Socio-economic status in relation to risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, in healthy individuals from the ATTICA study

Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2005 Feb;12(1):68-74.

Abstract

Background: Social status has been related with the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between socio-economic status (SES) and clinical and biochemical factors related to coronary heart disease, in a sample of cardiovascular disease-free men and women.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: During 2001-2002, 1514 men (20-87 years old) and 1528 women (20-89 years old) from the Attica region (Greece) were randomly enrolled into the study. Trends in established and emerging cardiovascular risk factors were examined across the participants' socio-economic status. A special index was developed (years of school by annual income) and three socio-economic classes were created.

Results: An inverse relationship was found regarding all lipids and glucose levels across the tertiles of the SES index. An inverse association was observed between body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and SES in men, but not in women. Furthermore, compared to the lowest tertile, individuals who were classified in the highest SES tertile had lower levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, homocysteine, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 levels and white blood cell counts, even after adjusting for various potential confounders. Finally, a considerable proportion of men and women reported lack of health knowledge and education.

Conclusions: An inverse association between SES and factors related to cardiovascular risk exists, but the causal pathway itself requires more detailed explanation before the social status can have explanatory power.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Blood Glucose
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / economics*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Female
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Class*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Cytokines
  • C-Reactive Protein