Hossein Fakhrzadeh, Azadeh Sadat Khezri, Ali Refaei, Rasoul Pourebrahim, Mohammad Jafar Mahmoudi, Ramin Heshmat, Fatemeh Bandarian,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (8-2006)
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular Diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent due to urbanization and industrialization of our country. Therefore Screening of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors is one of the most important health system priorities. The aim of this study was to evaluate a screening method implementing family history for cardiovascular risk factors.
Methods: We chose 10 Junior-high schools in the 6th district of Tehran using simple random sampling. Then a questionnaire asking about family history of cardiovascular disease in the first degree relatives (including grand parents) was distributed between them and was completed –
with contribution of parents. Then high-risk and low-risk families were invited separately to Dr Shariati Hospital for further evaluation. SPSS software version 10 using student T-test, Chi-Square and descriptive tests were applied for data analysis
Results: Approximately 40% of families had positive family history (high risk). From this group, 72% participated for follow-up. From the low-risk group, only 34% participated. Total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were significantly higher in high risk (HR) group. FBS was also significantly higher in fathers and children of the HR group (P<0.05). High TC, LDL-C and FBS levels were more prevalent among the HR families (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in age, BMI, BP, TG and HDL-C between the 2 groups.
Conclusion: Families with a history of cardiovascular disease participated in greater numbers in the screening process and the prevalence of risk factors in this group was significantly higher. The findings confirm the usability of family history in screening programs.
