Control status of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factors among Japanese high-risk subjects: Analyses of a Japanese health check database from 2008 to 2011

Aims: Several guidelines propose target levels (TLs) of atherosclerotic risk factors (ARFs) to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases; however, few data are available regarding the attainment statuses of TLs in Japan. In this study, utilizing the data obtained from the annual “Specific Health Check and Guidance in Japan” conducted from 2008 to 2011 (approximately 280,000 subjects each year), we determined TL attainments of ARFs in cardiovascular high-risk subjects. Methods: Those who had suffered from cerebrovascular disease (pCVD) or coronary heart disease (pCHD) or were receiving diabetes mellitus treatment (DM) were selected, and the rates of subjects that attained TLs of blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed. Results: Approximately 70% of pCVD or pCHD and 35% of subjects with DM attained TLs of BP. With regard to HbA1c, >90% of pCVD or pCHD and approximately 50% of subjects with DM attained TLs. With regard to LDL-C, <25% of pCHD females and approximately 35% of pCHD males and 50%-55% of subjects with pCVD or DM attained TLs. The TL-attainment rates of HDL-C and TGs were approximately 90% and 75%, respectively, for the three diseases. Analyses of time course changes in their attainment statuses revealed that the attainment rates of BP and LDL-C significantly improved in all the diseases. Conclusions: TL-attainment rates of BP and LDL-C were not as high as those for HDL-C, TGs, and HbA1c; however, they both showed highly significant improvements during the study period.