Cadernos de Saúde Pública
Print version ISSN 0102-311X
VIANNA, Carolina Avila; GONZALEZ, David Alejandro and MATIJASEVICH, Alicia. Aspirin use in cardiovascular disease prevention: a population-based study. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.6, pp. 1122-1132. ISSN 0102-311X. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2012000600011.
The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of aspirin use in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from January to May 2010. The study had two outcomes: 1) aspirin use in primary prevention (individuals > 40 years of age with at least two risk factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and/or hyperlipidemia) and 2) aspirin use in secondary prevention (history of stroke and/or angina/myocardial infarction). The outcomes were analyzed based on demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle variables. Prevalence of aspirin use was 24.8% for primary prevention and 34.3% for secondary prevention. In primary prevention, aspirin use was more common in non-whites and older individuals and among those with worse self-rated health. For secondary prevention, aspirin use was more frequent among older and higher-income individuals and former smokers. Prevalence of aspirin use was well below recommended levels for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords : Cardiovascular Diseases; Acetylsalicylic Acid; Disease Prevention.