Cardiorespiratory Disease in Men and Women in Urban Scotland: Baseline Characteristics of the Renfrew/Paisley(Midspan) Study Population

Abstract

Study objective: To describe the distribution of risk factors, risk behaviours, symptoms and the prevalence of cardiorespiratory disease in men and women in an urban area with high levels of socioeconomic deprivation. A cross-sectional survey of 15,411 men and women aged 45–64, comprising an 80% response rate from the general population in Paisley and Renfrew, Scotland Main results: The main characteristics of the male Renfrew/Paisley population, compared to previous British studies, were shorter stature, higher blood pressure, a higher proportion of smokers who continue to smoke, lower FEV1 and higher levels of reported angina, breathlessness on effort and chronic bronchitis. In comparison with men, the main characteristics of the female Renfrew/Paisley population were shorter stature, higher plasma cholesterol, lower FEV1′ fewer current and ex-smokers, and a higher prevalence of breathlessness 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 urban area with high levels of socio-economic deprivation have different cardio- respiratory risk and disease profiles compared to previous population studies in the UK, based on occupational groups and random national samples.