Recognition and Significance of Risk Factors in Croatian Population

Spoznavanje rizičnih čimbenika je vrlo važno kako bi se procijenila patologija i prevencija te liječenje cerebrovaskularnih bolesti. Objavljeni su brojni radovi na temu rizičnih čimbenika u pučanstvu Republike Hrvatske, ali većinom za pojedinu regiju i mali broj ljudi. Sveobuhvatnije istraživanje rizičnih čimbenika na 10.000 osoba obaju spolova u dobi od 18 do 65 godina provedeno je tek u razdoblju između 1995. i 1997. godine. Podaci o učestalosti rizičnih čimbenika u hrvatskom pučanstvu dobili su se statističkom obradom podataka za 5.840 osoba iz svih dijelova Hrvatske. Ovi su podaci uznemirujući, jer otkrivaju visoku učestalost loših životnih navika među stanovništvom (loše prehrambene navike, nedovoljna tjelesna aktivnost, pušenje) i pozivaju na pokretanje organiziranog djelovanja unutar sustava zdravstvenog osiguranja i zdravstva općenito. Usprkos ovim spoznajama, epidemiološki pokazatelji pobola i smrtnosti od cerebrovaskularnih bolesti još se ne popravljaju.It is of utmost importance to identify the population risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases in order to determine the pathology and prevention as well as management of these diseases. Numerous studies have been published on the topic of risk factors in the population of Croatia, however, mostly for a particular region and in a small number of people. It was only in the 1995-1997 period that a comprehensive investigation of risk factors was conducted including 10,000 individuals of both sexes aged 18-65. Data on the prevalence of risk factors among the Croatian population were obtained by statistical analysis of data on 5,840 individuals from all parts of Croatia. These data are quite disturbing, as they have revealed a high prevalence of bad habits with adverse health impact among the Croatian population (inappropriate dietary habits, inadequate physical activity, cigarette smoking) and an emerging necessity of undertaking an organized action within the health insurance system and health care system. Despite our knowledge, the epidemiologic indicators of cerebrovascular disease morbidity and mortality have not yet started to improve