Cardiometabolic health among socioeconomically vulnerable adults in Greece during the economic crisis: The cross-sectional primary healthcare EGKARDIA study

Objective

The EGKARDIA study screened socioeconomically vulnerable populations for cardiometabolic diseases during the Greek economic crisis and assessed its impact on their health.

Study design

EGKARDIA was a cross-sectional primary healthcare study conducted between 2013 and 2015 at health centers in the metropolitan region of Athens, Greece. The study included individuals aged 30 and above recruited from Open Care Centers for the Elderly, social and municipal clinics, and those voluntarily seeking screening.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus); factors associated with hypertension were also studied (sociodemographic and lifestyle data, dietary and physical activity patterns, mental health and health-related quality of life, self-perception of being affected by the economic crisis).

Results

Among 5609 participants (65 % female at birth, 31 % aged 65 years or more, 39 % with only compulsory education, and 24 % unemployed), 89 % were physically inactive or minimally active, 56 % were ever-smokers, 27 % were obese, 55 % had hypertension (28 % undiagnosed), 84 % had dyslipidemia (49 % undiagnosed), and 15 % had diabetes mellitus (9 % undiagnosed). Additionally, 20 % showed moderate or severe depression. Hypertension was independently associated with male sex at birth, older age, low education, physical inactivity, retirement, unemployment, depression, overweight and obesity, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. A similar set of associations was noted regarding undiagnosed hypertension.

Conclusions

The EGKARDIA study revealed a particularly high prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases among socioeconomically vulnerable individuals, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions to support those populations.