Ethnicity and risk factors among Indian coronary artery disease patients

Abstract

In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the distribution of coronary risk factors in male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)(n=50 each) belonging to Jaat and Vaishya castes. A Significantly higher average height, waist and hip circumferences, glucose, and waist-height ratio were observed in Jaats compared to the Vaishyas (p=0.000). Mean BMI, total cholesterol (total-C) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and lean body mass index (LBMI) were significantly higher in Vaishyas against Jaats (p=0.00). A significantly higher percentage of type 2 diabetes(T2DM) (p=0.03) and isolated hypertriglyceridemia(p=0.01) was observed in Jaats against Vaishya men. Percentage of general obesity(p=0.01), high total-C, high low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p=0.00), high total-C/HDL-C(p=0.04), combined positive family history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, and general obesity, was significantly higher in Vaishya when compared to Jaat men. In univariate logistic regression analyses, a significant association of T2DM (p=0.039) and isolated hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.020) with Jaat ethnic group and general obesity, high totalC, high LDL-C, and high total-C/HDL-C with Vaishya ethnic group was observed. Results of the present study suggest that a population-specific than a global approach should be used in identifying high-risk groups and designing of interventions to reduce the complications and management of CAD.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease; heart disease risk factors; social class.