CARDIORESPIRATORY DISEASE IN MEN AND WOMEN IN URBAN SCOTLAND - BASE-LINE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RENFREW-PAISLEY (MIDSPAN) STUDY POPULATION

Study objective: To describe the distribution of risk factors, risk be haviours, symptoms and the prevalence of cardiorespiratory disease in men and women in an urban area with high levels of socioeconomic depri vation. A cross-sectional survey of 15,411 men and women aged 45-64, c omprising an 80% response rate from the general population in Paisley and Renfrew, Scotland. Main results: The main characteristics of the m ale Renfrew/Paisley population, compared to previous British studies, were shorter stature, higher blood pressure, a higher proportion of sm okers who continue to smoke, lower FEV(1) and higher levels of reporte d angina, breathlessness on effort and chronic bronchitis. In comparis on with men, the main characteristics of the female Renfrew/Paisley po pulation were shorter stature, higher plasma cholesterol, lower FEV(1) , fewer current and ex-smokers, and a higher prevalence of breathlessn ess on effort. There were only small differences between men and women in the prevalence of angina, ECG evidence of myocardial ischaemia and chronic bronchitis. Conclusions: Middle-aged men and women in an urba n area with high levels of socio-economic deprivation have different c ardio-respiratory risk and disease profiles compared to previous popul ation studies in the UK, based on occupational groups and random natio nal samples.