Cor Vasa 2002, 43(9):370-374

The risk for atherosclerosis in a group of the ethnic Romany minority of southern Slovakia

Marica Krajčovičová-Kudláčková^1,*, Emil Ginter¹, Pavol Blažíček², Viera Spustová¹, Martina Valachovičová¹, Vladimír Kovačic¹, Ondrej Kačala¹

¹ Ústav preventívnej a klinickej medicíny

² Nemocnica Ministerstva obrany, Bratislava, Slovenská republika

Introduction:
The Romany population (gypsies) has a shorter life expectancy. The premature mortality rates of gypsies are three times those of the total population of the Slovak Republic.


Methods, material:
The values of total and LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, homocysteine, blood pressure, body mass index, smoking and nutrition were estimated in an ethnic Romany group of southern Slovakia
(n = 119) and compared with those in the majority population in that region (n = 146).

Results:
In the Romany group, the average values of atherogenic index and triglycerides are significantly higher, and HDL-cholesterol levels are significantly lower; the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia is 14% vs. 6%, prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia is 35% vs. 27%, and risk values of atherogenic index were present in 41% of gypsies vs. 20% of the majority group. Protective values of HDL-cholesterol were found in 50% of individuals of the control group, but in only a quarter of probands of the Romany group. Homocysteine levels are similar in both study groups; the frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia is also equal. The levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides correlate significantly positively with body mass index values, and HDL-cholesterol levels show a significantly negative relationship. Body mass index values in the obesity range are present in 35% of Romanies vs. 10% individuals of the majority group. The Romany group shows a higher prevalence of smoking and hypertension as well as other predisposing factors of lifestyle (improper nutrition, higher alcohol consumption, lower physical fitness/activity).

Conclusion:
The results show a higher risk for atherosclerosis in the Romany population.

Keywords: Cholesterol; Triglycerides; Obesity; Smoking; Hypertension; Nutrition; Romany population; Majority population

Published: September 1, 2002  Show citation