Gender differentials in the evolution of cigarette smoking habits in a general European adult population from 1993–2003

BACKGROUND: Describe the recent evolution of cigarette smoking habits by gender in Geneva, where incidence rates of lung cancer have been declining in men but increasing in women. METHODS: Continuous cross-sectional surveillance of the general adult (35–74 yrs) population of Geneva, Switzerland for 11 years (1993–2003) using a locally-validated smoking questionnaire, yielding a representative random sample of 12,271 individuals (6,164 men, 6,107 women). RESULTS: In both genders, prevalence of current cigarette smoking was stable over the 11-year period, at about one third of men and one quarter of women, even though smoking began at an earlier age in more recent years. Older men were more likely to be former smokers than older women. Younger men, but not women, tended to quit smoking at an earlier age. CONCLUSION: This continuous (1993–2003) risk factor surveillance system, unique in Europe, shows stable prevalence of smoking in both genders. However, sharp contrasts in age-specific prevalence of never and former smoking and of ages at smoking initiation indicate that smoking continues a long-term decline in men but has still not reached its peak in women

Prevalence of smoking and incidence of initiation in the Latin American adult population: the PLATINO study

Background: the PLATINO project was launched in 2002 in order to study the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Latin America. Because smoking is the main risk factor for COPD, detailed data on it were obtained. the aim of this paper was to evaluate the prevalence of smoking and incidence of initiation among middle-aged and older adults (40 years or older). Special emphasis was given to the association between smoking and schooling.Methods: PLATINO is a multicenter study comprising five cross-sectional population-based surveys of approximately 1,000 individuals per site in São Paulo (Brazil), Santiago (Chile), Mexico City (Mexico), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Caracas (Venezuela). the outcome variable was smoking status (never, former or current). Current smokers were those who reported to smoke within the previous 30 days. Former smokers were those who reported to quit smoking more than 30 days before the survey. Using information on year of birth and age of smoking onset and quitting, a retrospective cohort analysis was carried out. Smoking prevalence at each period was defined as the number of subjects who started to smoke during the period plus those who were already smokers at the beginning of the period, divided by the total number of subjects. Incidence of smoking initiation was calculated as the number of subjects who started to smoke during the period divided by the number of non-smokers at its beginning. the independent variables included were sex, age and schooling.Results: Non-response rates ranged from 11.1% to 26.8%. the prevalence of smoking ranged from 23.9% (95% CI 21.3; 26.6) in São Paulo to 38.5% (95% CI 35.7; 41.2) in Santiago. Males and middle-aged adults were more likely to smoke in all sites. After adjustment for age, schooling was not associated with smoking. Using retrospective cohort analysis, it was possible to detect that the highest prevalence of smoking is found between 20-29 years, while the highest incidence is found between 10-19 years. Age of smoking onset tended to decline over time among females.Conclusion: the prevalence of smoking varied considerably across sites, but was lower among countries with national anti-smoking campaigns.Univ Fed Pelotas, Pelotas, BrazilUniv Republica, Montevideo, UruguayInst Nacl Enfermedades Resp, Mexico City, DF, MexicoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilPontificia Univ Catolica Chile, Santiago, ChileCent Univ Venezuela, Caracas, VenezuelaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Prevalencia del consumo de medicamentos en la población adulta de Cataluña Prevalence of drug utilization in the adult population of Catalonia, Spain

Objetivos: Describir la prevalencia de la utilización de medicamentos según factores sociodemográficos y estado de salud autopercibido en la población adulta. Métodos: Examen de salud transversal del estudio CRONICAT/MONICA-Cataluña realizado en 1994-1996 en una muestra aleatoria de la población general de 25 a 64 años. Se interrogó a 3.421 participantes (tasa de respuesta del 72%) con cuestionario abierto sobre los medicamentos consumidos durante las dos semanas previas y otros hábitos de salud. Los medicamentos se codificaron posteriormente según la clasificación ATC (versión 1993). Resultados: Mayor proporción de mujeres (38%) que de varones (26%) autopercibió peor estado de salud (p Objectives: To describe the prevalence of drug utilization according to sociodemographic factors and self-perceived health in the adult population. Methods: Cross-sectional health survey of the CRONICAT/MONICA-Catalonia study carried out in 1994-96 in a random sample of the general population aged 25-64 years. A total of 3,421 participants (72% response rate) were interviewed about drug consumption in the previous two weeks with an open questionnaire. The participants were also asked about other health habits. Drugs were subsequently classified according to the ATC classification (1993 version). Results: A higher proportion of women (38%) than men (26%) self-perceived poor health status (p < 0.001). Age-adjusted total drug utilization was 57% in men (95%CI: 55-59) and 76% in women (95%CI: 74-78). Excluding contraceptives, regular drug utilization was 35% in men (95%CI: 33-37) and 48% in women (95%CI: 46-51). Twenty-nine percent of men and 48% of women (p < 0.001) took more than one drug. Neither educational level nor marital status influenced drug utilization. Among men, drug consumption was higher in retired individuals and pensioners (68%; 95%CI: 62-74) than in active workers (54%; 95%CI: 52-57). The most frequently used drugs were those for the nervous system (35% men and 51% women; p < 0.001), alimentary tract (15%) and the cardiovascular system (9% and 13%; p < 0.001). Most drugs (40%) were prescribed by specialists and one quarter was self-prescribed. Conclusions: The prevalence of total drug utilization in the adult population of Catalonia is high, specially among women, who self-perceived worse health status. Policies of rationalization of drug expenditures should take the epidemiological pattern into account

Prevalencia del consumo de medicamentos en la población adulta de Cataluña

Objetivos: Describir la prevalencia de la utilización de medicamentos según factores sociodemográficos y estado de salud autopercibido en la población adulta. Métodos: Examen de salud transversal del estudio CRONICAT/MONICA-Cataluña realizado en 1994-1996 en una muestra aleatoria de la población general de 25 a 64 años. Se interrogó a 3.421 participantes (tasa de respuesta del 72%) con cuestionario abierto sobre los medicamentos consumidos durante las dos semanas previas y otros hábitos de salud. Los medicamentos se codificaron posteriormente según la clasificación ATC (versión 1993). Resultados: Mayor proporción de mujeres (38%) que de varones (26%) autopercibió peor estado de salud (p < 0,001). El consumo total de medicamentos ajustado por edad fue: varones, del 57% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 55-59), y en mujeres, del 76% (IC del 95%, 74-78). Excluyendo los anticonceptivos, el consumo regular fue: varones, del 35% (IC del 95%, 33-37), y en mujeres, del 48% (IC del 95%, 46-51). Tomaron más de un medicamento el 29% de los varones y el 48% de las mujeres (p < 0,001). Ni el nivel educativo ni el estado civil influyeron en la toma de medicamentos. Mayor proporción de jubilados o pensionistas consumieron medicamentos (68%; IC del 95%, 62-74) que los trabajadores activos (54%; IC del 95%, 52-57) sólo en los varones. Los medicamentos más consumidos fueron para el sistema nervioso (35% en varones; 51% en mujeres; p < 0,001); digestivo (15%) y cardiovascular (9% en varones; 13% en mujeres; p < 0,001). La mayoría de la medicación consumida fue prescrita por el especialista (40%) y una cuarta parte fue autoprescrita. Conclusiones: La prevalencia del consumo total de medicamentos en la población adulta de Cataluña es alta, especialmente entre las mujeres, quienes autoperciben peor salud. Las políticas de racionalización del gasto farmacéutico deberían considerar el patrón epidemiológico

The spatial distribution of Spanish transport infrastructure between 1860 and 1930

H54, L92, N73, O18,

Pilot study to validate a computer-based clinical decision support system for dyslipidemia treatment (HTE-DLP)

10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.09.02