Cent Eur J Public Health 2002, 10(3):107-111

The Pursuit of Secondary Prevention Targets in Czech Coronary Patients. A Comparison of EuroAspire I and II Surveys

Mayer O.Jr., Šimon J., Rosolová H., De Bacquer D.

1 Center of Preventive Medicine, 2nd Dept. of Internal Medicine, Charles University, Medical Faculty Pilsen, Czech Republic Dept. of Public Health, Ghent University, Belgium

Background: Definite evidence has been established, that coronary patients benefit from appropriate secondary prevention measures, as recommended by the European and National Guidelines. EuroAspire I (1995) and EuroAspire II (1999) were surveys aimed to evaluate the state of the implementation of guidelines into the every-day medical practice in several European countries, including Czech Republic. We wondered to what extent the practice in secondary prevention of Czech physicians, since the guidelines were published, changed during 5 years, to pursue the targets.

Methods: We compared two surveys, undertaken in the same geographical areas of the Czech Republic. Consecutive patients, males and females, less than 71 years of age were indentified following acute coronary event or revascularisation procedure and were interviewed and examined at least 6 months after hospitalization.

Results: The Czech surveys included 331 patients in EuroAspire I and 410 in EuroAspire II. In EuroAspire II, the total number of smokers decreased in males, but increased in females. The patients were more obese, had higher glucose levels as well, while blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols were lower, than in EuroAspire I. Corresponding changes also occurred in the prevalence of hypertension and hyperlipidaemias by definitions. There was a significant increase in the use of betablockers, ACE inhibitors and hypolipidemic drugs, mainly statins. In conclusion, in spite that the compliance with the recommendations for secondary prevention improved, achievement of targets remained rather unsatisfactory, likewise in other European countries.

Keywords: EuroAspire I, II - secondary prevention-risk factor management

Published: September 1, 2002  Show citation