Comparison of risk factors for coronary heart disease in Dresden and Münster. Results of the DRECAN (Dresden Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition) study and the PROCAM (Prospective Cardiovascular Münster) Study.

Trend analyses based on WHO statistics for average life expectancy, age-standardized cardiovascular (CVD) morbidity and mortality show significant differences between the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the former Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). To investigate whether this is due to a different prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, the Dresden Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition (DRECAN) study was conducted using the complete methodology of the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster (PROCAM) study, i.e., the same methods and strict quality controls, with an exchange of specimens between both laboratories. The results were compared with those of an adjusted subpopulation of the PROCAM study