Cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three Alaskan Eskimo populations: the Alaska-Siberia project.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of CVD and to identify and characterize associated risk factors in three distinct Eskimo populations.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
A slightly modified Strong Heart Study protocol was followed to examine 454 participants, aged 25-91, from four villages.


RESULTS
Overall, 6% of the participants under 55 years of age and 26% of those > or = 55 years of age showed evidence of CHD by ECG, or in patient records. The prevalence of "definite coronary heart disease" (CHD) in women with glucose intolerance (GI) was 21.0%, compared to 2.4% in those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Men had comparable values of 26.7% and 6.3%. In addition, comparable values for "possible CHD" were 29.7% vs 6.0% for women and 21.4% vs 8.0% for men. GI was associated with relatively higher prevalences of CHD in women than in men (prevalence ratio = 8.5 vs 4.3). CHD was significantly related to age, glucose intolerance and insulin. Hypertension and obesity were significantly associated with CHD only in some ethnic groups. The prevalence of current smokers was 56%.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent changes in lifestyle and diet of Alaskan Eskimos, leading to obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance and DM, contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Ebbesson
Sven O E
SO
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908-0212, USA. se6b@virginia.edu
Adler
Amanda I
AI
Risica
Patricia M
PM
Ebbesson
Lars O E
LO
Yeh
Jeun-Liang
JL
Go
Oskar T
OT
Doolittle
William
W
Ehlert
Gary
G
Swenson
Michael
M
Robbins
David C
DC
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids