Российский кардиологический журнал (Mar 2023)

Prospective analysis of the major risk factors and vascular status in students during the period of education at a medical university

  • M. E. Evsevyeva,
  • M. V. Eremin,
  • O. V. Sergeeva,
  • E. V. Simhes,
  • I. V. Barabash,
  • V. D. Kudryavtseva,
  • M. C. Kruchkov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.15829/1560-4071-2023-5143
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 2

Abstract

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Aim. To study the changes of the major risk factors (RFs) and vascular status in students over six years of their education at a medical university.Material and methods. A total of 667 students aged 17,8±1,2 years were examined in the 1st year and 6th year (162 men, 505 women). Students who entered in the same year were combined into one cohort, while in total 5 cohorts were recruited. The screening examination was carried out as part of the annual intra-university events "Freshman Week", "Graduate Week" by staff of the University Health Center and included the collection of complaints and history, height, body weight, the measurement of peripheral and central blood pressure, as well as the assessment vascular stiffness and metabolic status. Statistical analysis of the material was carried out using SPSS Statistics 23.0.Results. Analysis of RFs in medical students over 6 years showed a significant increase of the prevalence of hypertension/prehypertension, resting tachycardia, obesity/overweight, malnutrition and physical inactivity. An assessment of cen­tral and peripheral hemodynamics, as well as vascular stiffness of students, revealed an increase in the level of aortic systolic pressure, combined with an increase in peripheral systolic blood pressure and pulse. At the same time, there was no significant increase in some parameters of vascular stiffness, against the background of a 2-fold increase in the prevalence of overweight. Analysis of the metabolic status reveals a significant change in total cholesterol and triglycerides but no alterations in capillary blood glucose.Conclusion. The data obtained indicate an increase in the prevalence of not only behavioral, but also biological RFs among medical students, as well as the development of preclinical vascular remodeling in them during a six-year education, which can later lead to early cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, widespread screening system of risk factors among students should be developed.

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