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Aims <p>Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, with its incidence and public health impact projected to increase significantly. This study adopts a novel perspective, focusing on elderly individuals residing in rural areas, highlighting the unique dynamics of small-town settings.</p> Methods <p>This multicenter, observational study was conducted from May 2022 to September 2023, under the coordination of the AOU Careggi Echo Core-Lab, which managed the entire screening program. In 10 small Italian villages, each municipality facilitated the enrollment of asymptomatic individuals aged ≥ 65 years, with no prior VHD history, through voluntary participation. Participants were grouped into three age categories (65–69, 70–74, and ≥ 75 years) and underwent a thorough evaluation, including a Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire and comprehensive echocardiographic assessment focusing on VHD detection and grading.</p> Results <p>Among 1,113 participants, the prevalence and severity of VHD showed a significant increase with age (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). Remarkably, 94% of individuals aged ≥ 75 years had at least one valvular defect, with 22.5% presenting moderate or severe valvulopathy, including a prevalence of 4.8% for moderate or severe aortic valve stenosis and 7.5% for mitral regurgitation. Right-sided valvulopathies followed a similar trend, affecting 71.9% of elderly participants. QoL evaluations revealed a generally positive perceived health status, with a mean score of 77 ± 16.</p> Conclusions <p>Our registry highlights that the prevalence of VHD in asymptomatic individuals over 65 years living in small Italian communities is substantial, increases with age, and is predominantly degenerative in etiology. Notably, most individuals with undiagnosed VHD perceived themselves as healthy.</p>

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The PREVASC study: Prospective REgistry of Valve disease in Asymptomatic Italian elderly SubjeCts

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月20日

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  • Nazario Carrabba,
  • Mattia Alexis Amico,
  • Gherardo Busi,
  • Matteo Vannini,
  • Filippo Bruscoli,
  • Salvatore Fortunato,
  • Luciano Arcari,
  • Emilio Di Lorenzo,
  • Giampaolo Luzi,
  • Francesco Clemenza,
  • Francesco Amico,
  • Giuseppe Pes,
  • Marco Merlo,
  • Gianfranco Sinagra,
  • Giovambattista Desideri,
  • Francesco Vetta,
  • Alessandro Mugelli,
  • Niccolo Marchionni,
  • Alessandro Boccanelli,
  • Paolo Vitillo,
  • Federico Nicastro,
  • Davide Bonadies,
  • Giuseppe Caliendo,
  • Giovanna Carpentieri,
  • Immacolata Esposito,
  • Loreto Cedrone,
  • Luca Arcari,
  • Barbara Pala,
  • Priscilla Tifi,
  • Edoardo Cittadini,
  • Enrico Rathina Raj,
  • Dario Giaccio,
  • Gabriele Di Gesaro,
  • Salvo Storniolo,
  • Sebastiano Puglisi,
  • Giuseppe Leggio,
  • Fabio Dipasqua,
  • Caterina Di Guardo,
  • Paola Tribulato,
  • Emanuela Biondi,
  • Margherita Drago,
  • Laura Salemi,
  • Marinella Paratore,
  • Nicola Campana,
  • Alessandra Gioi,
  • Simone Angius,
  • Accalai Emanuele,
  • Lionti Fabio,
  • Roberta Piras,
  • Lina Manzi,
  • Alberto Guarnaccia,
  • Marco Cittar,
  • Maddalena Rossi,
  • Lisa Pellin,
  • Enzo Merro,
  • Carla Indennidate,
  • Stefano Contessi,
  • Anna Reginato,
  • Ambra Fabbro,
  • Teresa Capovilla,
  • Francesco Venturelli,
  • Irena Tavčar,
  • Berardini Elvasio,
  • Maceroni Cinzia,
  • Murzilli Romina,
  • Occhiuzzi Enrico,
  • Ricci Pierluigi,
  • Tiburzi Flavio,
  • Carla Andrea,
  • Lorenzini Beatrice,
  • Palazzolo Martina

摘要

Aims

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, with its incidence and public health impact projected to increase significantly. This study adopts a novel perspective, focusing on elderly individuals residing in rural areas, highlighting the unique dynamics of small-town settings.

Methods

This multicenter, observational study was conducted from May 2022 to September 2023, under the coordination of the AOU Careggi Echo Core-Lab, which managed the entire screening program. In 10 small Italian villages, each municipality facilitated the enrollment of asymptomatic individuals aged ≥ 65 years, with no prior VHD history, through voluntary participation. Participants were grouped into three age categories (65–69, 70–74, and ≥ 75 years) and underwent a thorough evaluation, including a Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire and comprehensive echocardiographic assessment focusing on VHD detection and grading.

Results

Among 1,113 participants, the prevalence and severity of VHD showed a significant increase with age (p < 0.0001). Remarkably, 94% of individuals aged ≥ 75 years had at least one valvular defect, with 22.5% presenting moderate or severe valvulopathy, including a prevalence of 4.8% for moderate or severe aortic valve stenosis and 7.5% for mitral regurgitation. Right-sided valvulopathies followed a similar trend, affecting 71.9% of elderly participants. QoL evaluations revealed a generally positive perceived health status, with a mean score of 77 ± 16.

Conclusions

Our registry highlights that the prevalence of VHD in asymptomatic individuals over 65 years living in small Italian communities is substantial, increases with age, and is predominantly degenerative in etiology. Notably, most individuals with undiagnosed VHD perceived themselves as healthy.