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Cardiovascular risk factors in Turkish immigrants with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Comparison with Dutch patients

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Abstract

Background: Based on recent epidemiological studies the need for a similar approach towards management of cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetics with different ethnic background can be questioned. We compared the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and 10-year absolute risk for a coronary heart disease between Turkish and Dutch type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using databases from three Dutch studies on type 2 diabetes, comparing 147 Turkish to 294 Dutch diabetes patients, matched for age and gender. Main outcome measures were: total (t-) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride, blood pressure, and smoking. The 10-year absolute risk for a coronary event was calculated by means of the Framingham risk equation. Results: In Turkish diabetics t-cholesterol was lower than in Dutch (5.4 vs. 5.9 mmol/1; p < 0.001), in Turkish males HDL was lower than in Dutch male patients (0.94 vs. 1.08 mmol/1; p=0.04). The total/HDL-cholesterol ratio in Turkish and Dutch diabetics was equal (5.4 vs. 5.4). Less Turkish than Dutch females smoked (9% vs. 23%; p<0.01). The 10-year absolute risk for a coronary event in both Turkish and Dutch male patients was 24%; the risk in Turkish vs. Dutch females was 13% vs. 15% (not significant). Conclusion: The absolute risk for a coronary event in Turkish type 2 diabetes patients is similar to the risk in Dutch diabetes patients, although important differences in the risk profile exist, in particular, the lipid profile and smoking habits differ.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

body mass index

CHD:

coronary heart disease

HDL:

high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDL:

low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus Medical Centre, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam

    Paul J.M. Uitewaal & Marc A. Bruijnzeels

  2. Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre, Utrecht

    Alex N. Goudswaard, Arno W. Hoes & Siep Thomas

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics Weezenlanden, location Zwolle

    Lielith J. Ubnik-veltmaat

Authors
  1. Paul J.M. Uitewaal
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  2. Alex N. Goudswaard
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  3. Lielith J. Ubnik-veltmaat
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  4. Marc A. Bruijnzeels
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  5. Arno W. Hoes
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  6. Siep Thomas
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Correspondence to Paul J.M. Uitewaal.

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Uitewaal, P.J., Goudswaard, A.N., Ubnik-veltmaat, L.J. et al. Cardiovascular risk factors in Turkish immigrants with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Comparison with Dutch patients. Eur J Epidemiol 19, 923–929 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-004-5193-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-004-5193-8

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