SOCIAL-CLASS AND RISK-FACTORS FOR CARDIOV ASCULAR-DISEASES IN THE SWISS-ITALIAN POPULATION - RESULTS OF THE 1ST DEMOGRAPHIC-STUDY OF THE SWISS MONICA PROJECT 1985-1986

The relationship Of social class and prevalence of risk factors for ca rdiovascular diseases was investigated within the Swiss MONICA-project , a cross sectional study of the Swiss-Italian population started in 1 985/1986. A representative sample of 984 men and 1014 women ages 35 to 64 was selected, the response rate was 78 %. Social class was measure d by two indicators, occupational status and education. A significant trend was found in age standardized analysis with higher mean blood pr essure and body mass index in lower social classes (p < 0,001). When o ther confounders for cardiovascular diseases were considered in a mult iple regression model, the predictive power of social class was modera te. A significant inverse relationship of cardiovascular risk factors and social class was only found for body mass index (both sexes) and e xercise in women which was directly related to higher social class and education. No relationship was found for lipids (cholesterol, HDL-cho lesterol), blood pressure and smoking in both sexes. Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases beside obesity do not seem to cluster in lower social classes within the Swiss-Italian population.