Ethnic difference in the prevalence of angina pectoris in Sami and non-Sami populations: the SAMINOR study

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Eliassen, Bent-Martin, Graff-Iversen, Sidsel, Melhus, Marita, Løchen, Maja-Lisa, Broderstad, Ann Ragnhild
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: CoAction Publishing 2014
• Subjects: VDP::Medical disciplines: 700::Clinical medical disciplines: 750::Cardiology: 771; VDP::Medisinske Fag: 700::Klinisk medisinske fag: 750::Kardiologi: 771; VDP::Medical disciplines: 700::Health sciences: 800::Community medicine; Social medicine: 801; VDP::Medical disciplines: 700::Health sciences: 800::Epidemiology medical and dental statistics: 803; VDP::Medisinske Fag: 700::Helsefag: 800::Samfunnsmedisin; sosialmedisin: 801; VDP::Medisinske Fag: 700::Helsefag: 800::Epidemiologi medisinsk og odontologisk statistikk: 803; Circumpolar Health; International Journal of Circumpolar Health; sami
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10037/5790; https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v73.21310

Objective: To assess the population burden of angina pectoris symptoms (APS), self-reported angina and a combination of these, and explore potential ethnic disparity in their patterns. If differences in APS were found between Sami and non-Sami populations, we aimed at evaluating the role of established cardiovascular risk factors as mediating factors. Design: Cross-sectional population-based study. Methods: A health survey was conducted in 2003–2004 in areas with Sami and non-Sami populations (SAMINOR). The response rate was 60.9%. The total number for the subsequent analysis was 15,206 men and women aged 36–79 years (born 1925–1968). Information concerning lifestyle was collected by 2 self-administrated questionnaires, and clinical examinations provided data on waist circumference, blood pressure and lipid levels. Results: This study revealed an excess of APS, self-reported angina and a combination of these in Sami relative to non-Sami women and men. After controlling for age, the odds ratio (OR) for APS was 1.42 (p<0.001) in Sami women and 1.62 (p<0.001) for men. When including relevant biomarkers and conventional risk factors, little change was observed. When also controlling for moderate alcohol consumption and leisure-time physical activity, the OR in women was reduced to 1.24 (p=0.06). Little change was observed in men. Conclusion: This study revealed an excess of APS, self-reported angina and a combination of these in Sami women and men relative to non-Sami women and men. Established risk factors explained little or none of the ethnic variation in APS. In women, however, less moderate alcohol consumption and leisure-time physical activity in Sami may explain the entire ethnic difference.