Racial differences between Maori and European New Zealanders in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

Abstract

Racial differences in the incidence and rate of rupture of intracranial aneurysms are well recognized. A retrospective study of racial differences between Maori and European New Zealanders presenting to the Auckland Regional Neurosurgical Unit between 1985 and 1990 was conducted. It was found that the incidence per 100,000 of the population for all aneurysms was 14.3 for Europeans and 25.7 for Maoris. The mean age at rupture was 10 years earlier in Maoris with single aneurysms. A strong association between aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and cigarette smoking was found in both groups not only for single, but also for multiple aneurysms. Maoris were also found to have an abnormally high incidence of middle cerebral artery aneurysms and a low incidence of vertebrobasilar ones compared with Europeans.

Racial Disparities in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Mortality: Los Angeles County, California, 1985–1998

“…First, we studied SAH mortality rates and it is not known whether the differences we observed were due to differences in incidence or case fatality rates. The few studies that have compared case fatality rates for SAH among racial groups have found very similar rates [5][6][7]11], indicating that differences in the incidence rates are the most likely explanation for the differences in the mortality rates we observed. Second, in our analysis only death certificate data were used and a careful review of all patient data was not performed.…”

Intracranial aneurysms in an African country

“…Even though rare, aneurysms have been described in this age group. [21,23] Age as an idependent variable may suggest that ethnic [19,29] and genetic [30] factors influence the age at presentation. Aneurysms are more common in women over 50 years of age [5,8,31] and also some studies have Multiple 21-30 2 ------31-40 7 ------41-50 5 1 2 5 ---51-60 3 13 5 -2 -1 61-70 2 1 3 -2 --71-80 1 ----1 -Total counts 20 15 10 5 4 1 1 reported that the female gender is risk factor for both formation and growth of aneurysms.…”

Epidemiological aspects of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage in Queensland, Australia

“…5 In New Zealand, it has been shown that Maoris and Pacific Islanders have a much greater risk of SAH than the Caucasian population. 6,7 It is not known whether there are similar differences in the incidence of SAH between different racial groups within Australia.…”