Prevalence and correlates of subclinical atherosclerosis in Alaska Eskimos: the GOCADAN study.
OBJECTIVE
The recent increase in clinical cardiovascular disease in Alaska Eskimos suggests that changes in traditional lifestyle may have adverse public health consequences. This study examines the prevalence of subclinical vascular disease and its relation to risk factors in Alaska Eskimos.


METHODS
Participants in the population-based Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease in Alaska Natives (GOCADAN) Study underwent evaluation of cardiovascular disease risk factors and carotid ultrasound. Outcome variables were carotid intimal-medial thickness and presence and extent of atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
In multivariate analyses, intimal-medial thickness and presence and extent of atherosclerosis were all associated with traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors but not dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Rates of carotid atherosclerosis were higher than those reported in 2 large population-based US studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Alaska Eskimos have similar traditional risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis as other ethnic and racial populations but have higher prevalences of atherosclerosis, possibly attributable to higher rates of smoking.
Cutchins
Alexis
A
Division of Cardiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Roman
Mary J
MJ
Devereux
Richard B
RB
Ebbesson
Sven O E
SO
Umans
Jason G
JG
Zhu
Jianhui
J
Weissman
Neil J
NJ
Howard
Barbara V
BV
D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014463:Ultrasonography