Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

What is the risk of coronary heart disease in South Asians? A review of UK research

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Raj Bhopal CBE

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review the evidence that coronary heart disease risk is higher in South Asians than in comparative 'white' populations, particularly seeking studies of incidence. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out using a personal research literature collection, MEDLINE 1966-1998 and citations from references. Results: Of 19 studies, none reported disease incidence. Most studies reported prevalence, mortality rates or health care utilization data. Most studies were on people born on the Indian subcontinent, thus omitting the British-born. Several did not report on women. The strongest evidence of an excess of CHD in South Asians came from mortality data comparing those born in the Indian subcontinent with the whole population of England and Wales. In South Asians coronary heart disease is common and important, but neither the actual disease rates nor the excess risk in relation to the 'white' population are known. Both prevalence and mortality data suggested that the frequency of coronary heart disease in Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis differed. Conclusion: Estimates of South Asians' excess risk of coronary heart disease are imprecise and may be too high (if there are data errors) or too low (for comparison with the general population blunts ethnic variations). South Asians are a heterogeneous group yet most studies of CHD report on Bangladeshis, Indians and Pakistanis combined. Indians probably have less CHD than Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. Cohort studies on CHD in South Asians are needed and these should be designed so that data can be combined for future systematic reviews.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Bhopal R

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Public Health Medicine

Year: 2000

Volume: 22

Issue: 3

Pages: 375-385

Print publication date: 01/01/2000

ISSN (print): 0957-4832

ISSN (electronic): 1464-3782

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/22.3.375

DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/22.3.375

PubMed id: 11077913


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share