The prevalence and clinical characteristics of mitral valve prolapse in a large population-based epidemiologic study: the MELEN study.

OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common cardiac valvular abnormality in industrialized countries. Its prevalence has been estimated to be between 2% to 4%. However, some studies found the prevalence of MVP less than 1% which is significantly lower than the prevalence reported in the Framingham Heart Study. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, demographic, clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of MVP in a large population-based epidemiologic study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The final cohort included 2,228 participants. Data were obtained by a validated questionnaire, physical examination of the cardiovascular system, recording of a resting electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiographic examination.

RESULTS: The echocardiographic prevalence of MVP was 0.36%. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were as follows; 12.5% had hypertension, 37.5% had depression, 12.5% had migraine, 12.5% had diabetes mellitus, 12.5% had diastolic dysfunction, 25% had multi-nodular goiter, 12.5% had diffuse goiter and 25% had hyperthyroidism. During the follow-up of 36 months no major adverse events occurred in patients with MVP during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that MVP is a benign disorder and the prevalence of MVP is lower than previously studies. There might be a relationship between MVP and goiter, and depression.