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Ethnic differences in infectious burden and the association with metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease: a

Lara Hartog1, Martijn S van Rooijen2, Joanne Ujčič-Voortman3

  • 1Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, J2-209, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

BMC Public Health
|February 24, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Infectious burden (IB) is higher in Turkish and Moroccan adults in Amsterdam, contributing to ethnic disparities in type 2 diabetes. Further longitudinal research is needed to confirm these associations.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) show ethnic disparities.
  • Data on infectious burden (IB) and metabolic risk factors in ethnic groups are limited.
  • This study investigates ethnic differences in IB and its association with metabolic risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine ethnic variations in infectious burden (IB) among Dutch, Turkish, and Moroccan adults in Amsterdam.
  • To assess the association between IB and metabolic risk factors, including type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and hypertension.
  • To determine the extent to which IB explains ethnic differences in metabolic risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 440 Dutch, 320 Turkish, and 272 Moroccan adults (aged 18-70).
  • IB measured by seropositivity to six infections (HSV 1 & 2, Hepatitis A, B, C, H. pylori).
  • Logistic regression used to analyze associations between IB categories and metabolic risk factors, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

  • Higher IB was more prevalent in Turkish and Moroccan participants compared to Dutch participants.
  • High IB was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes (OR=2.14).
  • Associations between high IB and elevated cholesterol or hypertension were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Turkish and Moroccan adults in Amsterdam exhibit higher IB, which is linked to ethnic differences in type 2 diabetes.
  • IB partially explains the observed ethnic disparities in type 2 diabetes.
  • Longitudinal studies are recommended to establish causality between IB and metabolic risk factors.
Abstract

Keywords:
DiabetesEthnicityHypercholesterolemiaHypertensionInfectionsInfectious burden

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