Cardiovascular risks and socioeconomic status: differences between men and women in Finland.
Key result
Lower levels of education, occupation, and income were significantly associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk factor profile in both men and women.
Why the study?
Is lower socioeconomic status associated with an increased burden of cardiovascular risk factors in adults?
Population
4,346 men (n=2,164) and women (n=2,182) aged 25-64 years from a community-based random sample in Finland.
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
May warrant consideration in CV risk assessment; extends observational SES-CVD links but leaves causality and intervention effects open.
Key Points
- To evaluate the relationship between various socioeconomic status indicators and cardiovascular disease risk factor profiles among men and women.
- Conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey in Finland involving 2,164 men and 2,182 women aged 25–64 years.
- Calculated a composite cardiovascular risk score based on HDL and total cholesterol, blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, body mass index, smoking, and physical activity.
- Assessed socioeconomic status using self-reported years of education, occupational category, family income, and marital status.
- Lower education, occupation level, and income were significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular risk profiles in both men and women.
- Education and occupation showed the strongest associations with cardiovascular risk scores, remaining robust after adjusting for income and marital status.
- Family income was more strongly associated with risk scores in women than in men, losing statistical significance in men after adjusting for education and occupation, while marital status showed no significant association in either sex.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=4,346)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Is lower socioeconomic status associated with an increased burden of cardiovascular risk factors in adults?
P
Population
4,346 men and women aged 25-64 years from a community-based random sample in Finland assessed for cardiovascular risk factors.
E
Exposure
Socioeconomic status indicators (years of education, family income, marital status, and occupation)
O
Outcome
Cardiovascular disease risk factor score (based on HDL, total cholesterol, leisure time physical activity, blood pressure, medication for hypertension, body mass index, and smoking)surrogate
Lower socioeconomic status, particularly education and occupation, is significantly associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk factor profile in Finnish adults.
Cite This Study
Luoto et al. (1994) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease risk (n=4,346). Lower socioeconomic status (education, occupation, income) vs. Higher socioeconomic status was evaluated on Cardiovascular disease risk factor score. Lower levels of education, occupation, and income were significantly associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk factor profile in both men and women.