Cardiovascular risk factors: differences between ethnic groups

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular epidemiology
• Public health
• Anthropology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health burden.
• Understanding risk factor distribution across diverse populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Indigenous populations and other ethnic groups in urban settings may experience unique health challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cardiovascular disease risk factors, including metabolic, anthropometric, tobacco, and alcohol consumption indicators.
• To analyze demographic and socioeconomic characteristics among different ethnic groups in Manaus.
• To investigate disparities in health indicators among Rio Negro indigenous, Sateré-Mawé, mixed-race/black, and white populations.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study adhering to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines.
• Inclusion of 191 adult participants of both sexes.
• Collection of anthropometric measurements, blood pressure readings, and biochemical analyses, followed by statistical analysis correlating ethnicity with variables.

Main Results:

• Indigenous individuals exhibited superior metabolic and anthropometric profiles concerning cardiovascular disease risk compared to mixed-race/black and white participants.
• Sateré-Mawé individuals demonstrated better health indicators than those from the Rio Negro region.
• Significant variations in obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and increased body circumferences were noted, with mixed-race/black individuals facing a more adverse health situation.

Conclusions:

• Key disparities identified include differences in obesity, dyslipidemia, pre-systemic arterial hypertension/systemic arterial hypertension, and increased body circumferences.
• Mixed-race/black populations presented with the most unfavorable cardiovascular risk factor profile.
• The study highlights significant variations in cardiovascular risk factors across the evaluated race, color, and ethnicity groups in Manaus.