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Insulin levels in Gipsy minority
M Krajcovicova-Kudlackova1, P Blazicek, E Ginter
1Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Bratislava, Slovakia. Kudlackova@upkm.sk
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy
|April 17, 2003
Summary
The Gipsy minority group shows significantly higher fasting insulin levels and a greater prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors compared to the Slovak majority. This indicates an elevated cardiovascular disease risk in the Gipsy population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Syndrome Research
- Ethnic Health Disparities
Background:
- Metabolic syndrome, characterized by hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity, significantly elevates cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Ethnic minority groups may exhibit distinct metabolic profiles and varying susceptibility to metabolic syndrome and its associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare fasting insulin levels and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors between an ethnic Gipsy minority and the majority Slovak population.
- To assess the differential cardiovascular disease risk between these two population groups.
Main Methods:
- Fasting insulin levels were measured in 149 individuals from the Gipsy minority and 197 individuals from the Slovak majority.
- Prevalence of hyperglycemia, hypertriacylglycerolemia, low HDL-cholesterol, hypertension (systolic and diastolic), and obesity were compared between the groups.
Main Results:
- The Gipsy group exhibited significantly higher average fasting insulin levels (21% risk vs. 5% in Slovaks).
- Hyperglycemia rates were similar (17% vs. 16%).
- The Gipsy group showed a higher incidence of hypertriacylglycerolemia (47% vs. 38%), low HDL-cholesterol (62% vs. 46%), systolic hypertension (16% vs. 10%), diastolic hypertension (20% vs. 11%), and obesity (36% vs. 22%).
Conclusions:
- The Gipsy population demonstrates a higher prevalence of hyperinsulinemia and key metabolic syndrome risk factors.
- These findings suggest a substantially increased cardiovascular disease risk within the Gipsy population compared to the majority Slovak population.