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Comparative Study
. 2010 Jun-Jul;26(6):190-6.
doi: 10.1016/s0828-282x(10)70398-6.

Cardiovascular burden and related risk factors among Nunavik (Quebec) Inuit: insights from baseline findings in the circumpolar Inuit health in transition cohort study

Marie-Ludivine Chateau-Degat  1 , Eric Dewailly, Rabia Louchini, Emilie Counil, Martin Noël, Annie Ferland, Michel Lucas, Béatriz Valera, Jean-Marie Ekoé, Robert Ladouceur, S Déry, Grace Egeland
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Cardiovascular burden and related risk factors among Nunavik (Quebec) Inuit: insights from baseline findings in the circumpolar Inuit health in transition cohort study

Marie-Ludivine Chateau-Degat et al. Can J Cardiol. 2010 Jun-Jul.

Erratum in

  • Can J Cardiol. 2011 Jan-Feb;27(1):119

Abstract
in English, French

Background: The Inuit are commonly portrayed to be somehow protected from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) through their traditional lifestyle and diet. However, actual sociocultural transition and related major, modifiable risk factors have scarcely been quantified in the Inuit population. Such knowledge is extremely valuable in terms of public health intervention.

Methods: A total of 887 Inuit residents from Nunavik, Quebec, participated in a cohort study. The estimates presented were derived from anthropometric and biological measurements gathered at the time of recruitment and enhanced by information collected in the medical file of each participant. All estimates were corrected for a complex sampling strategy and bootstrapped to ensure the representativeness of the general Nunavik population.

Results: Overall, 19% of Inuit had a disease of the circulatory system according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision. Among all disorders, peripheral circulatory system disease was the most prevalent (9%). Prevalences of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease were of similar magnitude (2.5%). No significant difference in disease prevalence was noted between sexes. The major modifiable CVD risk factors were smoking (84%), obesity (49%) [corrected] (body mass index of greater than 30 kgm2) and elevated blood pressure (13085 mmHg or greater) (18%). Prevalences were globally higher among women.

Conclusion: The current belief that the Inuit are protected from CVD is seriously questioned by the results of the present study. Considering the extremely high prevalence of CVD risk factors, a population-based intervention reinforced for women is urgently needed to reduce their risk.

HISTORIQUE :: Les Inuits sont souvent dépeints comme une population quelque peu protégée des maladies cardiovasculaires (MCV) en raison de leur mode de vie traditionnel et de leur régime alimentaire. Cependant, la transition socioculturelle en cours et les facteurs de risque modifiables connexes ont rarement été quantifiés au sein de la population inuite. Ces connaissances sont très précieuses pour les interventions en santé publique.

MÉTHODOLOGIE :: Au total, 887 Inuits qui habitent le Nunavik, au Québec, ont participé à une étude de cohorte. Les évaluations présentées sont dérivées de mesures anthropométriques et biologiques colligées au moment du recrutement et améliorées par l’information recueillie dans le dossier médical de chaque participant. Toutes les évaluations ont été corrigées pour tenir compte d’une stratégie d’échantillonnage complexe et dotées d’un amorçage afin d’assurer la représentativité de la population générale du Nunavik.

RÉSULTATS :: Dans l’ensemble, 19 % des Inuits avaient une maladie du système respiratoire selon la Classification statistique internationale des maladies et problèmes de santé connexe, 10e révision. Parmi toutes les pathologies, la maladie du système circulatoire périphérique était la plus prévalente (9 %). La prévalence des cardiopathies ischémiques et des accidents vasculaires cérébraux avait une magnitude similaire (2,5 %). On n’a remarqué aucune différence significative entre les sexes pour ce qui est de la prévalence de la maladie. Les principaux facteurs de risque de MCV modifiables étaient le tabagisme (84 %), l’obésité (49 %) (indice de masse corporelle supérieur à 30 kg/m2) et une tension artérielle élevée (130/85 mmHg ou plus) (18 %). En général, les prévalences étaient plus élevées chez les femmes.

CONCLUSION :: La croyance selon laquelle les Inuits sont protégés des MCV est sérieusement remise en question par les résultats de la présente étude. Étant donné la prévalence extrêmement élevée de facteurs de risque de MCV, il est urgent d’instaurer une intervention renforcée pour les femmes afin de réduire leur risque.

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Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
Map of Nunavik (Quebec) and 14 communities visited during the study
Figure 2)
Figure 2)
Prevalence (%) of cardiovascular disease among adult Nunavik (Quebec) Inuit according to disease codes from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, by order of appearance: I30 to I52 Other forms of heart disease; I80 to I89 Diseases of the veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes not classified elsewhere; I70 to I79 Diseases of the arteries, arterioles and capillaries; I60 to I69 Cerebrovascular diseases; I20 to I25 Ischemic heart diseases; I26 to I28 Pulmonary heart disease and diseases of the pulmonary circulation; I00 to I02 Acute rheumatic fever; I05 to I09 Chronic rheumatic heart diseases
Figure 3)
Figure 3)
Distribution of the Inuit population according to body mass index (BMI) strata: underweight (less than 18 kg/m2), normal (18 kg/m2 to 24 kg/m2), overweight (25 kg/m2 to 29 kg/m2) and obese (30 kg/m2 or greater), with the standard error, according to sex
Figure 4)
Figure 4)
Prevalence of abdominal obesity measured by waist circumference, with the standard error, according to sex and age
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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