Different Distribution of Cardiovascular Risk Factors According to Ethnicity: A Study in a High Risk Population

Abstract

This study compares the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors in different ethnic groups at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases within general practices. A total of 430 patients (179 Dutch, 126 Turks, 50 Surinamese, 23 Moroccans, 23 Antilleans and 29 from other ethnic groups) were included in the study. Data collection consisted of questionnaires and physical and clinical examinations. 54% was female. The mean age was 53.1 (sd 9.9) years. There were important ethnic differences in the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors. Compared to the Dutch, ethnic minorities had significantly greater odds of being diabetic (OR = 3.2-19.4); but were less likely to smoke (OR = 0.10-0.53). Turkish individuals had a lower prevalence of hypercholesterolemia but were 2.4 times more likely to be obese than the Dutch. Hypertension was very common in all ethnic groups and no significant ethnic differences were found. These findings provide additional evidence of the need for tailored interventions for different ethnic groups in general practices.

2016 European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice

“…212 Possible explanations include lower BP and cholesterol levels and smoking rates, 223,224 although a higher prevalence of DM and obesity has also been found. 224 No differences between Moroccan immigrants and Dutch natives were found regarding hypertension control. 223 Immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean present higher CVD rates than natives from the host country in some studies, 213,214,226 but not all.…”

2016 European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice

“…222 -224 Management of CVD risk factors also varies according to the host country; there are no differences in hypertension control compared with natives in The Netherlands, 224 but there is worse control in Denmark. 225 Immigrants from Morocco present lower CVD rates than natives from the host country.…”

2016 European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice

“…Wydaje się, że wynika to z większej częstości palenia tytoniu, DM, dyslipidemii, nadciśnienia tętniczego i otyłości [222][223][224]. Postępowanie w przypadku czynników ryzyka CVD również różni się w obrębie krajów przyjmujących.…”

“…Postępowanie w przypadku czynników ryzyka CVD również różni się w obrębie krajów przyjmujących. W porównaniu z osobami pochodzącymi z kraju przyjmującego w Holandii nie ma różnic w zakresie kontroli nadciśnienia tętniczego [224], natomiast w Danii zaobserwowano gorszą kontrolę [225].…”

“…Obserwacja ta wynika prawdopodobnie z niższych BP i stężenia cholesterolu oraz mniejszej częstości palenia tytoniu [223,224], jednak w tej grupie stwierdzono również większą częstość występowania DM i otyłości [224]. Nie stwierdzono różnic między imigrantami z Maroko a rdzennymi Holendrami pod względem kontroli nadciśnienia tętniczego [223].…”