Oral contraception and cardiovascular risk factors during adolescence

The objective of the present study was to analyze the pattern of oral contr aceptive (OC) use in teenagers and to examine the relationship between OC u se and other cardiovascular risk factors. The study was conducted in 24 Bel gian secondary schools. Most students (1526 adolescents aged 12-17 years) a greed to participate (participation rate: 83.6%). Smoking, physical activit y habits, menarche, and OC use were assessed by a self-administered questio nnaire. Total cholesterol level, blood pressure and anthropometric measurem ents were also measured. Fourteen per cent of mature girls (14%, n = 92) we re OC users. Two-thirds of them (66.3%, n = 61) were taking OC which contai ned either gestodene or desogestrel. Blood pressure and BMI were similar fo r OC users and non-users. Total cholesterol level was significantly higher in PC users than in non-users (191 mg/dL versus 172 mg/dL). Logistic regres sion model confirmed the significant influence of OC use on total cholester ol level (OR = 3.08). OC users were also often smokers (39% versus 20% for non-users). In conclusion, the present study has found significant relation ships between OC use and cardiovascular risk factors i.e., high total chole sterol and smoking. The first implication is a need for further research on lipoprotein profile in young OC users. Secondly, the combined use of OC an d smoking in teenagers calls for preventive actions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce Inc. All rights reserved.