Prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors and adverse risk profiles among three ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

Jing Tao,Xiao-Mei Li,Xiang Ma,Zi-Xiang Yu,Bang-Dang Chen,Yang Xiang,Xiang Xie,Fen Liu,Yi-Tong Ma,Zhen-Yan Fu,Yi-Ning Yang,You Chen

doi:10.1186/1476-511x-12-185

Abstract

BackgroundPrevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors have been scarcely studied in Xinjiang, a multi-ethnic region.MethodsMulti-ethnic, cross-sectional cardiovascular risk survey study in Xinjiang, including individuals of Uygur (n = 4695), Han (n = 3717) and Kazakh (n = 3196) ethnicities, aged 35-74 years. Analyses involved 11,608 participants with complete data enrolled between October 2007 and March 2010.ResultsThere were differences in age-standardized prevalence of CVD risk factors between the three groups (all P < 0.001). Hypertension, obesity and smoking rates were higher among Kazakh (54.6%, 24.5%, and 35.8%, respectively). Dyslipidemia prevalence was higher among Uygur (54.3%), and diabetes prevalence was higher among Hans (7.1%). Age-standardized prevalence of adverse CVD risk profiles was different across different ethnicities. Compared with the Han participants, the Uygur and Kazakh had more CVD risk factors (P < 0.001). Compared with the Han participants, the adjusted odds ratios of 1, 2, and ≥3 risk factors profiles for Kazakh and Uygur participants were higher (all P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe present study showed the pervasive burden of CVD risk factors in all participant groups in the Xinjiang region. Three major ethnic groups living in Xinjiang had striking differences in the prevalence of major CVD risk factors and adverse risk profiles. Ethnic-specific strategies should be developed to prevent CVD in different ethnic groups, as well as to develop strategies to prevent future development of adverse CVD risk factors at a younger age.

Highlights

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for about half of non-transmissible diseases deaths worldwide, namely 16.7 million 2002 [1]
Several studies have noted the striking differences in the prevalence of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and adverse CVD risk profiles across ethnic groups in different parts of the world [6,7]
The present study aims to expand the literature on ethnic differences in CVD risk factors in China by describing the prevalence of five major and readily measurable CVD risk factors, and adverse CVD risk profiles between three different ethnic groups (Han, Uygur and Kazakh) in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (China), using data from the Cardiovascular Risk Survey (CRS)

Summary

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for about half of non-transmissible diseases deaths worldwide, namely 16.7 million 2002 [1]. In China, with the current shift toward an elderly population, CVD is an important and growing public health concern [2], accounting for nearly 40% of deaths in 1994 [3,4]. High numbers of CVD risk factors are common in many developed and developing countries, including China. These risk factors have emerged as important characteristics for predicting CVD morbidity and mortality [5]. Several studies have noted the striking differences in the prevalence of major CVD risk factors and adverse CVD risk profiles across ethnic groups in different parts of the world [6,7]. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors have been scarcely studied in Xinjiang, a multi-ethnic region

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion