Predicted and observed cardiovascular disease in South Asians: application of FINRISK, Framingham and SCORE models to Newcastle Heart Project data.

Background: South Asian populations in the United Kingdom have a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Risk prediction models appear to be inaccurate in South Asians.

Objective: To explore the predictive capacity of the FINRISK, Framingham (1991) and SCORE risk prediction models in the Newcastle Heart Project population (n = 1301).

Self report in clinical and epidemiological studies with non-English speakers: the challenge of language and culture.

Internationally, there is a drive for equality in health care for ethnic groups. To achieve equality, produce sound policies, and provide appropriately targeted services good quality data are essential. Where data are based upon self report, especially from non-English speakers, there are major barriers to the accumulation of reliable and valid information.

Glossary of terms relating to ethnicity and race: for reflection and debate.

This glossary focuses on the concepts and terminology used in the study of the health of minority ethnic and racial groups. It is hoped that it will stimulate debate on this subject so that an internationally applicable glossary may emerge.

Do variations in blood pressures of South Asian, African and Chinese descent children reflect those of the adult populations in the UK? A review of cross-sectional data.

The objective of this study was to assess whether variations in BP in children of UK ethnic minority populations correspond to those seen in adults. A systematic literature review was carried out using MEDLINE 1966-2003 and EMBASE 1980-2003, supplemented by correspondence with expert informants, and citations from references. Five studies were identified.

Users' perspectives on epidemiological, GIS and point pattern approaches to analysing environment and health data.

Despite examples showing the usefulness of geographical information systems (GIS) and spatial point pattern analysis in health research, there remain barriers to their widespread use within health service settings. This paper explores potential users' views on the relative usefulness of such approaches for analysing spatially referenced environmental health data. Our findings indicate that researchers and practitioners do not always prefer the approach with which they are most familiar.

Serological evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in UK South Asian and European populations: implications for gastric cancer and coronary heart disease.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of serological evidence of infection with Helicobacter pylori among people of South Asian and European ethnic origins and to assess its association with prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: We used a quantitative method to compare IgG antibodies to H. pylori in a population sample of 300 South Asians and 302 Europeans in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Low prevalence of the N363S polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor in South Asians living in the United Kingdom.

Similarities between clinical states of glucocorticoid excess and obesity have raised suspicion of a link between the two conditions. An Asn363Ser (N363S) polymorphism in exon 2 of the glucocorticoid receptor has been associated with glucocorticoid sensitivity and excess adiposity in people of European origin. Compared with Europid populations, South Asians have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, including type 2 diabetes and central obesity.

Review of prevalence data in, and evaluation of methods for cross cultural adaptation of, UK surveys on tobacco and alcohol in ethnic minority groups.

Objective: To assess the adequacy of cross cultural adaptations of survey questions on self reported tobacco and alcohol consumption in the United Kingdom.

Design: Assessment of consistency of data between studies identified through literature review. Studies evaluated with 12 guidelines developed from the research literature on achieving cross cultural comparability.

Social networks and coronary heart disease risk factors in South Asians and Europeans in the UK.

Objectives: To compare the social networks of South Asian (Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis) and European-origin participants in the Newcastle Heart Project, and to examine the relationships between social network sizes and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in both groups, testing the hypothesis that part of the reason for high rates of CHD in the South Asian UK population may be social isolation.

Design: Participants were 684 South Asian (259 Indians, 305 Pakistanis, 120 Bangladeshis) and 825 European men and women aged 25-74 years, who completed a questionnaire and were screened for CHD risk factors in a cross-sectional study.

Results: South Asians were more likely to be married than Europeans, had bigger households and were more likely to attend a place of worship regularly.

Is the blood pressure of people from African origin adults in the UK higher or lower than that in European origin white people? A review of cross-sectional data.

The aim of the study was to review published evidence on whether blood pressure (BP) levels and the prevalence of hypertension are higher in adult populations of African descent living in the UK as compared to the white population. A systematic literature review was carried out using MEDLINE 1966-2002 and EMBASE 1980-2002 and citations from references. In all, 14 studies were identified.

Predictors of lipoprotein(a) levels in a European and South Asian population in the Newcastle Heart Project.

Background: Understanding of the higher susceptibility of South Asians to coronary heart disease is limited. One explanation is the combination of high prevalence of insulin resistance with higher lipoprotein(a) levels.

Materials And Methods: Lipoprotein(a) levels and genotypes in three South Asian groups aged 25-74 years (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) were compared with a European population in a cross-sectional study.

Patterns of physical activity and relationship with risk markers for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and European adults in a UK population.

Background: Differences in level of physical activity between European, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations living in the UK might contribute to differences in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk markers that exist in these populations.

Methods: Type and level of physical activity (measured by a multidimensional index) and its relationship with selected cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors were assessed in a cross-sectional, population-based study of European, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi men and women, aged 25-75, resident in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Results: Europeans were found to be more physically active than Indians, Pakistanis or Bangladeshis.

Understanding influences on smoking in Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults: community based, qualitative study.

Objective: To gain detailed understanding of influences on smoking behaviour in Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities in the United Kingdom to inform the development of effective and culturally acceptable smoking cessation interventions.

Design: Qualitative study using community participatory methods, purposeful sampling, one to one interviews, focus groups, and a grounded approach to data generation and analysis.

Setting: Newcastle upon Tyne, during 2000-2.

Microalbuminuria is more frequent in South Asian than in European origin populations: a comparative study in Newcastle, UK.

Aims: We aimed to compare levels of urinary albumin excretion and the prevalence of microalbuminuria in UK South Asians and Europeans. Microalbuminuria predicts cardiovascular disease in European origin populations, but evidence from the general population of South Asians is lacking. Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality is 40-50% higher in UK South Asians compared with the whole population, for reasons that are incompletely understood.

Is the blood pressure of South Asian adults in the UK higher or lower than that in European white adults? A review of cross-sectional data.

The objective of the study was to review published evidence on whether blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension are higher or lower in South Asian adults living in the UK as compared to white populations. A systematic literature review was carried out using MEDLINE 1966-2001, EMBASE 1980-2001, and citations from references. A total of 12 studies were identified.