Roberto Cangemi, Marzia Miglionico, Tania D’Amico, Salvatore Fasano, Marco Proietti, Giulio Francesco Romiti, Bernadette Corica, Lucia Stefanini, Gaetano Tanzilli, Stefania Basili, Valeria Raparelli, Maria Grazia Tarsitano,

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preventing Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease: The EVA Study

  • Food Science
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
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Background: Adherence to healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (Med-diet), is recommended for the maintenance of cardiovascular health. The determinants for adherence to Med-diet and its importance in secondary cardiovascular disease prevention are still unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of sex- and psycho-socio-cultural (i.e., gender-related) factors on Med-diet adherence and its role in preventing major cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods: Med-diet adherence was evaluated among 503 consecutive adults with IHD. MACEs were collected during a long-term follow-up. Results: Male Bem Sex-Role Inventory score (i.e., male personality traits) and physical functional capacity were associated with higher adherence, while cohabitation with a smoker and physical inactivity with poorer adherence. During a median follow-up of 22 months, 48 participants experienced MACEs (17.5%, 8.1%, and 3.9% of patients with low, medium, and high adherence, respectively; p = 0.016). At multivariate Cox--regression analysis, a greater adherence remained inversely associated with MACEs (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29–0.82; p = 0.006) after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusion: The study suggests that gender-related factors have a role in maintaining a healthy dietary pattern. Improving Med-diet adherence may lower the risk of recurring cardiovascular events.

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