Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Young Academy of Cardiology Congress, Gazimagusa, Kıbrıs (Kktc), 18 - 22 Eylül 2019, ss.43
Objective: Age is a risk factor for many diseases and may affect health status from different aspects. The aim of this study was to compare the daily
life habits, nutritional preferences, awareness of cardiovascular (CV) risk status and cardiovascular drug usage of the patients at different age groups
who participated in the Medications and Lifestyles of Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and/or Disease in Turkish Population (MedLife-TR)
study.
Methods: The participants who applied to outpatient cardiology clinics first completed a self-administered questionnaire in 4 sections: baseline characteristics, awareness of CV risk factors and actual CV risk levels according to Framingham risk score, lifestyle habits and CV medication, and then
they were divided into 3 groups according to age (group 1: 20-39 years, group 2: 40-59 years, group 3: >=60 years). 27 sites in Turkey were included
in this multicenter, national and observational study. Fisher–Freeman–Halton test was used for comparison of qualitative data.
Results: A total of 2793 patients (male: 47,91%) were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 57±14 years and median age was 58 years. As age
increased through groups, the frequency of regular exercise decreased (p=0.018), furthermore, exercise preference, as a weight loss method, also
diminished (p<0.001). The use of herbal products or vitamins was higher in group 2 and 3 compared to group 1, although it was not statistically
significant (p=0.085, p=0.367 respectively). The number of sugar put in tea or coffee, adding extra table salt to meals and the preference of oil type
was similar among groups, however, the percentage of consuming fast food products and eating more frequently was greater in the youngest group
(p<0.001). Only 6% of patients would not skip any meals and the 22% of study population had 3 snacks daily (Table-1). The patients in group 1
considered that the most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases was smoking (31,92%), while patients in group 2 (31,35%) and group
3 (33,36%) considered that it was hypertension. Patients in group 1 mostly had low cardiovascular risk score (68,64%), while patients in group 3
(45,9%) had high cardiovascular risk score (p<0.001). Patients expressed themselves at greater risk as they aged (p<0.001). Consulting physicians
rather than television programs, newspapers and internet was the most preferred method to acquire information about cardiovascular diseases in
all age groups (p<0.001). Elderly patients were applying to a health professional more frequently (p<0.001). The frequency of taking medications
regularly surged in group 3 (p<0.001). While the 38% of patients believed that cholesterol lowering drugs were harmful, the 13% had no idea.
Conclusion: Daily life habits, nutrition preferences, medications and awareness of cardiovascular risk change according to the age interval of patients,
hence, health professionals should consider this while giving medical recommendations.
Keywords: age, lifestyle, cardiovascular, risk, nutrition