Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are associated with cardiovascular events in the elderly without cardiovascular disease. Results of a 15-year follow-up in a Mediterranean population

Abstract Background and aims Epidemiological prospective data on cardiovascular (CV) events in elderly subjects from Mediterranean populations are lacking. We aimed to investigate 15-year incidence of CV events and to evaluate the association with CV risk factors in an elderly Mediterranean population. Methods and results The population of a small Sicilian village were enrolled, visited and a blood sample was drawn at baseline. CV events were recorded in the 15 years of follow-up. From 1351 subjects (75% of the resident population); 315 were in the age range 65–85 years; 266 subjects free from CV disease were analysed. Seventy-seven CV events were recorded in 73 out of 266 subjects, with a …

IL GENE PCSK9: UN NUOVO GENE IMPLICATO NEL CONTROLLO DELLA COLESTEROLEMIA

The distribution of cholesterol plasma is regulated by complex interactions between genes and environmental factors. Mutations of PCSK9 gene seem to modulate the levels of LDL-C. Mutations of PCSK9 gene with gain of function are associated to hypercholesterolemia and mutations with loss of function determine hypocholesterolemia.

Le ipocolesterolemie primitive

Hypobetalipoproteinemia (HBL) is characterized by cholesterol levels below the 5th percentile of the population distribution. Familial HBL (FHBL) is characterized by an inherited HBL trait within a family. In the last years gene defects underlying some cases of FHBL, but not all, have been identified. The molecular basis of some gene defect and the clinical onset of FHBL are presented in this paper.

LE IPERCOLESTEROLEMIE PRIMITIVE