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ABO blood group and ischaemic heart disease in British men
P H Whincup1, D G Cook, A N Phillips
1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Royal Free Hospital, School of Medicine, London.
Insights
Individuals with blood group A have a higher risk of ischaemic heart disease. Geographic variations in ABO blood groups do not explain differing heart disease rates across Britain.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Human Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- The relationship between ABO blood groups and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) has been investigated.
- Previous studies suggest potential associations, but geographic and individual-level data require further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if ABO blood group is associated with IHD on both individual and geographic levels within Britain.
- To explore potential links between blood groups, cardiovascular risk factors, and IHD incidence.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 7,662 men with known ABO blood groups was conducted across 24 British towns.
- Data on cardiovascular risk factors, social class, and IHD status were collected at baseline.
- An eight-year follow-up captured fatal and nonfatal IHD events in 99% of the participants.
Main Results:
- Higher IHD incidence was observed in towns with a greater prevalence of blood group O.
- Individually, subjects with blood group A showed a higher incidence of IHD (relative risk 1.21).
- Slightly elevated serum cholesterol levels were noted in blood group A individuals; no other risk factors correlated with blood group.
Conclusions:
- Blood group A is linked to an increased incidence of IHD in individuals.
- Geographic variations in ABO blood group distribution do not account for regional IHD rate differences in Britain.
- The study does not support a relationship between ABO blood group and social class in IHD risk.
Objective:
To establish whether ABO blood group is related to ischaemic heart disease on an individual and geographic basis in Britain.
Design:
Prospective study of 7662 men with known ABO blood group selected from age-sex registers in general practices in 24 British towns.
Measurements:
ABO blood group, standard cardiovascular risk factors, social class, and presence or absence of ischaemic heart disease determined at entry to study.
End Points:
Eight year follow up of fatal and nonfatal ischaemic heart disease events achieved for 99% of study population.
Results:
Towns with a higher prevalence of blood group O had higher incidences of ischaemic heart disease. In individual subjects, however, the incidence of ischaemic heart disease was higher in those with group A than in those with other blood groups (relative risk 1.21, 95% confidence limits 1.01 to 1.46). Total serum cholesterol concentration was slightly higher in subjects of blood group A. No other cardiovascular risk factor (including social class) was related to blood group.
Conclusions:
Blood group A is related to the incidence of ischaemic heart disease in individual subjects. Geographic differences in the distribution of ABO blood groups do not explain geographic variation in rates of ischaemic heart disease in Britain. The findings do not support the view that ABO blood group and social class are related.