Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 26 in total

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  1. de Carvalho LP, Gao F, Chen Q, Hartman M, Sim LL, Koh TH, et al.
    Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care, 2014 Dec;3(4):354-62.
    PMID: 24598820 DOI: 10.1177/2048872614527007
    the purpose of this study was to investigate differences in long-term mortality following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients from three major ethnicities of Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  2. Lee PY, Cheong AT, Zaiton A, Mastura I, Chew BH, Sazlina SG, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2013 Jul;25(4):316-25.
    PMID: 22186400 DOI: 10.1177/1010539511430521
    This study aimed to examine the control of cardiovascular risk factors among the ethnic groups with type 2 diabetes in Malaysia. The authors analyzed the data of 70 092 adults from the Malaysian diabetes registry database. Malays had the worst achievement of target for most of the risk factors. Indians had poor achievement of control for waist circumference (odds ratio [OR] = 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6-0.7) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.4-0.5). As compared with the Malays, the Chinese had a better achievement of target control for the risk factors, including the following: body mass index (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.2-1.4), blood pressure (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.3-1.4), total cholesterol (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.6-1.8), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.6-1.8), glycated hemoglobin A1c (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.3-1.4) and fasting blood glucose (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.3-1.5). Ethnicity, sociocultural factors, and psychobehavioral factors should be addressed in designing and management strategies for the control of cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetes patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  3. Dugee O, Khor GL, Lye MS, Luvsannyam L, Janchiv O, Jamyan B, et al.
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2009;18(3):433-40.
    PMID: 19786392
    Mongolia is experiencing changes in its unique nomadic lifestyle and dietary habits in the last two decades with accompanying increase in obesity rate. The dietary pattern approach, which investigates the overall diet in relation to obesity risks, has become appealing in nutrition epidemiology. The aim of this study was to identify major dietary patterns of the Mongolian adults in relation to the risk of having obesity. Dietary intake of a total 418 adults aged ? 25 years was assessed by using a food frequency questionnaire with 68 items. An exploratory factor analysis resulted in three dietary patterns: transitional high in processed meat and potato, traditional rich in whole milk, fats and oils and healthy with greater intake of whole grains, mixed vegetables and fruits. Individuals in the upper quintile of the transitional pattern had significantly greater risk of obesity (BMI > or =25 kg/m2: OR=2.47; 95% CI=1.04-5.86) while subjects in the highest quintile of the healthy dietary pattern were found to have significantly decreased risk of obesity (OR: 0.49; 95% CI=0.25-0.95). Men in the highest quintile of the transitional pattern had greater risk of abdominal obesity WC > or =90 cm: OR= 4.08; 95% CI=1.11-14.97) than those in the lowest quintile. Women in the top quintile of the traditional pattern had a greater odds of having abdominal obesity (WC > or =80 cm: OR=4.59; 95% CI=1.58-13.30) than those in the lowest quintile. The study suggests that public health efforts be targeted at adults in Mongolia to address the undesirable aspects of the transitional and the traditional dietary patterns.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  4. Chongsuvivatwong V, YipIntsoi T, Apakupakul N
    J Med Assoc Thai, 2008 Apr;91(4):464-70.
    PMID: 18556853
    The subset of data on southern Thai InterAsia study conducted in 2000 was revisited in order to document gender and ethnic breakdown of prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Three hundred and seventy-five men and 630 women with overall mean +/- SD age of 53.2 +/- 11.7 years were recruited. Combined gender prevalences were: 21.1% for smoking, 15.5% for drinking, 21.8% for hypertension (systemic blood pressure > or = 140/90 mmHg), 49.8% for impaired fasting plasma glucose (FPG 110-125 mg/dl), 9.9% for diabetes mellitus (FPG > or = 126 mg/dl), 10% for body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2, 43.5% for large waist circumference (WC > or = 90 cm in men and > or = 80 in women), 62.8% for total serum cholesterol (TC), > 200 mg/dl, 38.5% for TC divided by high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) > or = 5 and 61.6% for low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), > or = 130 mg/dl. After using logistic regression, adjusting the effects of age and community of residence, women were less likely than men to be smokers, drinkers, or showed impaired FPG but significantly more likely to have large WC, TC > or = 200 mg/dl and LDL-C > or = 130 mg/dl. Muslims showed significantly lower risk for drinking and large WC but higher risk for low HDL-C. The differences require further research. In conclusion, gender and age have stronger association with various risk factors than ethnicity in this selected population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  5. Candlish JK, Saha N, Mak JW
    Atherosclerosis, 1997 Feb 28;129(1):49-51.
    PMID: 9069516
    Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and apolipoproteins Al (apo Al) and B (apo B) were measured in a sample of subjects from the Semai tribe of Orang Asli in peninsular Malaysia. They appeared to exhibit the lowest TC ever recorded (1.6 for males and 1.9 mmol/l for females) and relatively high TG (1.4 mmol/l for males and 1.5 mmol/l for females)(means for the whole sample). There was little apparent aging gradient in any of the plasma analytes. but the group of men aged 21-40 had lower HDLC than the corresponding female group. Both low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (calculated) and HDLC as well as their corresponding apolipoproteins were correspondingly very low. There was a significant correlation between apo AI and HDLC in both sexes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  6. Khoo KL, Tan H, Khoo TH
    Med J Malaysia, 1991 Mar;46(1):7-20.
    PMID: 1836041
    Mortality statistics of Peninsular Malaysia for the period 1950-1989 have been studied in relation to cardiovascular diseases, with particular emphasis on coronary heart disease as an important cause of death. It was observed that among six major disease groups reviewed, cardiovascular diseases which occupied third place as a cause of death in 1950 emerged as the number one killer during the 1970s and has remained so since (with exception in 1980). In contrast, infectious diseases which ranked first in 1950 dropped to fourth position in 1980. Between 1960 and 1980, mortality due to cardiovascular diseases was higher in males than in females. This tendency became less apparent during 1985-1989. With reference to race, the incidence of cardiovascular deaths was highest in Indians followed by Chinese and Malays. Among the specific cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart and cerebrovascular diseases accounted for the main causes of mortality. Mortality due to coronary heart disease has increased by more than three fold over the last 40 years and is still rising. However, mortality incidence due to rheumatic heart disease and hypertension decreased during the same period. In 1965, mortality due to coronary heart disease was highest in the 55-59 age group. In recent years (1985 to 1989), it shifted to the older age group (i.e. 65-69). There was a tendency for higher mortality due to coronary heart disease in males compared to females. Indians had a higher mortality due to coronary heart disease than Chinese and Malays.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  7. Hughes K, Lun KC, Yeo PP
    J Epidemiol Community Health, 1990 Mar;44(1):24-8.
    PMID: 2348144
    STUDY OBJECTIVE:The aim of the study was to analyse differences in mortality from the main cardiovascular diseases (ischaemic heart disease, hypertensive disease, and cerebrovascular disease) among Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore.
    DESIGN: The study was a survey using national death registration data in Singapore for the five years 1980 to 1984. The underlying cause of death, coded according to the ninth revision of the International Classification of Diseases, was taken for the analyses.
    SETTING: The study was confined to the independent island state of Singapore, population 2.53 million (Chinese 76.5%, Malays 14.8%, Indians 6.4%, Others 2.3%). Death registration is thought to be complete.
    SUBJECTS: All registered deaths in the age range 30-69 years during the study period were analysed by ethnic group.
    MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Indians had higher mortality from ischaemic heart disease than the other ethnic groups in both sexes, with age-standardised relative risks of Indian v Chinese (males 3.8, females 3.4), Indian v Malay (males 1.9, females 1.6), and Malay v Chinese (males 2.0, females 2.2). The excess mortality in Indians declined with age. For hypertensive disease Malays had the highest mortality, with age-standardised relative risks of Malay v Chinese (males 3.4, females 4.4), Malay v Indian (males 2.0, females 2.5), and Indian v Chinese (males 1.6, females 1.6). For cerebrovascular disease there was little ethnic difference except for lower rates in Chinese females, with age-standardised relative risks of Malay v Chinese (males 1.1, females 1.9), Malay v Indian (males 1.0, females 1.1), and Indian v Chinese (males 1.1, females 1.7).
    CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in mortality from the three main cardiovascular diseases in the different ethnic groups in Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  8. Selvarajah S, Kaur G, Haniff J, Cheong KC, Hiong TG, van der Graaf Y, et al.
    Int J Cardiol, 2014 Sep;176(1):211-8.
    PMID: 25070380 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.07.066
    BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular risk-prediction models are used in clinical practice to identify and treat high-risk populations, and to communicate risk effectively. We assessed the validity and utility of four cardiovascular risk-prediction models in an Asian population of a middle-income country.
    METHODS:Data from a national population-based survey of 14,863 participants aged 40 to 65 years, with a follow-up duration of 73,277 person-years was used. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS), SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation)-high and -low cardiovascular-risk regions and the World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) models were assessed. The outcome of interest was 5-year cardiovascular mortality. Discrimination was assessed for all models and calibration for the SCORE models.
    RESULTS:Cardiovascular risk factors were highly prevalent; smoking 20%, obesity 32%, hypertension 55%, diabetes mellitus 18% and hypercholesterolemia 34%. The FRS and SCORE models showed good agreement in risk stratification. The FRS, SCORE-high and -low models showed good discrimination for cardiovascular mortality, areas under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.768, 0.774 and 0.775 respectively. The WHO/ISH model showed poor discrimination, AUC=0.613. Calibration of the SCORE-high model was graphically and statistically acceptable for men (χ(2) goodness-of-fit, p=0.097). The SCORE-low model was statistically acceptable for men (χ(2) goodness-of-fit, p=0.067). Both SCORE-models underestimated risk in women (p<0.001).
    CONCLUSIONS:The FRS and SCORE-high models, but not the WHO/ISH model can be used to identify high cardiovascular risk in the Malaysian population. The SCORE-high model predicts risk accurately in men but underestimated it in women.
    KEYWORDS:Cardiovascular disease prevention; Mortality; Risk prediction; Risk score; Validation
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  9. Reid CM, Yan B, Wan Ahmad WA, Bang LH, Hian SK, Chua T, et al.
    Int J Cardiol, 2014 Mar 1;172(1):72-5.
    PMID: 24480180 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.12.030
    Clinicians and other stakeholders recognize the need for clinical registries to monitor data in order to improve the outcome and quality of care in the delivery of medical interventions. The establishment of a collaboration across the Asia Pacific Region to inform on variations in patient and procedural characteristics and associated clinical outcomes would enable regional benchmarking of quality.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  10. Dhanjal TS, Lal M, Haynes R, Lip G
    Int J Clin Pract, 2001 Dec;55(10):665-8.
    PMID: 11777289
    Indo-Asians in the UK are at an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD); this may be a reflection of their cardiovascular risk factor profile as well as of a more sedentary lifestyle. We hypothesised that Indo-Asians in Malaysia and the UK may exhibit a similar cardiovascular risk factor and physical activity profile, which would be more adverse compared with caucasians. We studied 70 consecutive Indo-Asian patients admitted to hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (n=42; 35 males; mean age 60.6 years, SD 11.8); and Birmingham, England (n=28; 20 males; mean age 60.8 years, SD 12.9). Both groups of Indo-Asian patients were compared with 20 caucasian patients (13 males; mean age 62.7 years, SD 9.4) admitted with myocardial infarction from Birmingham. There was a higher prevalence of diabetes among Indo-Asians in both countries than among caucasians (p=0.0225). By contrast, caucasians had a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (p=0.0113), peripheral vascular disease (p=0.0008), regular alcohol consumption (p<0.0001) and family history of CAD (p=0.0041). There were no significant differences in mean age, body mass index or blood pressures. There was a significantly lower leisure activity score (p=0.001) and total physical activity score (p=0.003) among Indo-Asians in both countries than among caucasians. This survey has demonstrated differences in cardiovascular risk factors among Indo-Asian and caucasian patients. The high prevalence of diabetes, as well as the lower physical activity and sedentary lifestyles among Indo-Asians, in both Malaysia and the UK, may in part contribute to the high incidence of CAD in this ethnic group.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  11. Hughes K, Yeo PP, Lun KC, Thai AC, Sothy SP, Wang KW, et al.
    J Epidemiol Community Health, 1990 Mar;44(1):29-35.
    PMID: 2348145 DOI: 10.1136/jech.44.1.29
    STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine cardiovascular risk factors to see how these might explain differences in cardiovascular disease mortality among Chinese, Malays, and Indians in the Republic of Singapore.
    DESIGN: The study was a population based cross sectional survey. Stratified systematic sampling of census districts, reticulated units, and houses was used. The proportions of Malay and Indian households were increased to improve statistical efficiency, since about 75% of the population is Chinese.
    SETTING: Subjects were recruited from all parts of the Republic of Singapore.
    SUBJECTS: 2143 subjects aged 18 to 69 years were recruited (representing 60.3% of persons approached). There were no differences in response rate between the sexes and ethnic groups.
    MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected by questionnaire. Measurements were made of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting triglycerides and plasma glucose. In males the age adjusted cigarette smoking rate was higher in Malays (53.3%) than in Chinese (37.4%) or Indians (44.5%). In both sexes, Malays had higher age adjusted mean systolic blood pressure: males 124.6 mm Hg v 121.2 mm Hg (Chinese) and 121.2 mm Hg (Indians); females 122.8 mm Hg v 117.3 mm Hg (Chinese) and 118.4 mm Hg (Indians). Serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride showed no ethnic differences. Mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol in males (age adjusted) was lower in Indians (0.69 mmol/litre) than in Chinese (0.87 mmol/litre) and Malays (0.82 mmol/litre); in females the mean value of 0.95 mmol/litre in Indians was lower than in Chinese (1.05 mmol/litre) and Malays (1.03 mmol/litre). Rank prevalence of diabetes for males was Indians (highest), Malays and then Chinese; for females it was Malays, Indians, Chinese.
    CONCLUSIONS: The higher mortality from ischaemic heart disease found in Indians in Singapore cannot be explained by the major risk factors of cigarette smoking, blood pressure and serum cholesterol; lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher rates of diabetes may be part of the explanation. The higher systolic blood pressures in Malays may explain their higher hypertensive disease mortality.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  12. Hughes K
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1989 Nov;18(6):642-5.
    PMID: 2624412
    Age-standardised death rates, for ages 35-64 years in both sexes, from ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertensive disease for Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore (1980-84) have been compared with those in England and Wales, USA and Japan (1982). For ischaemic heart disease Indians have the highest mortality, then Malays, with Chinese less than the Western countries but more than Japan. For cerebrovascular disease the Malays have highest mortality, then Indians, then Chinese, followed by Japan, England and Wales, and USA in that order. For hypertensive disease it is again Malays, then Indians, then Chinese, but followed by the different order of USA, England and Wales, and Japan. The differences are discussed in the light of declining trends in mortality from these disease in Singapore over the preceding 25 years. The special problems of ischaemic heart disease in Indians and hypertension and it's sequelae in Malays are highlighted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  13. Lee J, Ma S, Heng D, Chew S, Hughes K, Tai E
    J Hum Hypertens, 2008 Jul;22(7):468-74.
    PMID: 18337755 DOI: 10.1038/jhh.2008.16
    The current hypertension (HTN) guidelines recommend the assessment of other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in individuals with HTN for further management. Few studies in Asian populations have been published to identify the outcome of individuals with HTN and other CVD risk factors. This study aims to assess the effect of HTN alone, and in combination with other CVD risk factors on all-cause and CVD mortality. Three cross-sectional studies carried out in Singapore (baseline 1982--1995) consisting of 5830 persons were grouped by the absence or presence of HTN and CVD risk factors. They were followed-up (mean 14.1 years) by linkage with the National Death Register. Cox's proportional hazards model was used to obtain adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for risk of mortality. HTN individuals with either <2 CVD risk factors (adjusted HR 1.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-1.8) or > or =2 CVD risk factors (adjusted HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.9-3.0) were at increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to normotensive individuals. The findings were similar for CVD mortality. HTN individuals who also smoked or had diabetes were at highest risk of all-cause mortality, whereas those with elevated total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoked or diabetes had the highest risk for CVD mortality. These findings show that in HTN individuals it is important to assess the presence of other CVD risk factors and manage accordingly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  14. Sun C, Liew G, Wang JJ, Mitchell P, Saw SM, Aung T, et al.
    Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2008 May;49(5):1784-90.
    PMID: 18436813 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.07-1450
    To describe the relationship of retinal vascular caliber with cardiovascular risk factors in an Asian population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  15. Yusuf S, Bosch J, Dagenais G, Zhu J, Xavier D, Liu L, et al.
    N Engl J Med, 2016 May 26;374(21):2021-31.
    PMID: 27040132 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1600176
    BACKGROUND: Previous trials have shown that the use of statins to lower cholesterol reduces the risk of cardiovascular events among persons without cardiovascular disease. Those trials have involved persons with elevated lipid levels or inflammatory markers and involved mainly white persons. It is unclear whether the benefits of statins can be extended to an intermediate-risk, ethnically diverse population without cardiovascular disease.
    METHODS: In one comparison from a 2-by-2 factorial trial, we randomly assigned 12,705 participants in 21 countries who did not have cardiovascular disease and were at intermediate risk to receive rosuvastatin at a dose of 10 mg per day or placebo. The first coprimary outcome was the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke, and the second coprimary outcome additionally included revascularization, heart failure, and resuscitated cardiac arrest. The median follow-up was 5.6 years.
    RESULTS: The overall mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was 26.5% lower in the rosuvastatin group than in the placebo group. The first coprimary outcome occurred in 235 participants (3.7%) in the rosuvastatin group and in 304 participants (4.8%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 0.91; P=0.002). The results for the second coprimary outcome were consistent with the results for the first (occurring in 277 participants [4.4%] in the rosuvastatin group and in 363 participants [5.7%] in the placebo group; hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.88; P<0.001). The results were also consistent in subgroups defined according to cardiovascular risk at baseline, lipid level, C-reactive protein level, blood pressure, and race or ethnic group. In the rosuvastatin group, there was no excess of diabetes or cancers, but there was an excess of cataract surgery (in 3.8% of the participants, vs. 3.1% in the placebo group; P=0.02) and muscle symptoms (in 5.8% of the participants, vs. 4.7% in the placebo group; P=0.005).
    CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with rosuvastatin at a dose of 10 mg per day resulted in a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events than placebo in an intermediate-risk, ethnically diverse population without cardiovascular disease. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and AstraZeneca; HOPE-3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00468923.).
    Note: Malaysia is a study site (Author: Yusoff K)
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  16. Chia YC, Gray SY, Ching SM, Lim HM, Chinna K
    BMJ Open, 2015;5(5):e007324.
    PMID: 25991451 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007324
    OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the validity of the Framingham general cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk chart in a primary care setting.
    DESIGN: This is a 10-year retrospective cohort study.
    SETTING: A primary care clinic in a teaching hospital in Malaysia.
    PARTICIPANTS: 967 patients' records were randomly selected from patients who were attending follow-up in the clinic.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline demographic data, history of diabetes and smoking, blood pressure (BP), and serum lipids were captured from patient records in 1998. Each patient's Framingham CVD score was computed from these parameters. All atherosclerotic CVD events occurring between 1998 and 2007 were counted.
    RESULTS: In 1998, mean age was 57 years with 33.8% men, 6.1% smokers, 43.3% diabetics and 59.7% hypertensive. Median BP was 140/80 mm Hg and total cholesterol 6.0 mmol/L (1.3). The predicted median Framingham general CVD risk score for the study population was 21.5% (IQR 1.2-30.0) while the actual CVD events that occurred in the 10 years was 13.1% (127/967). The median CVD points for men was 30.0, giving them a CVD risk of more than 30%; for women it is 18.5, a CVD risk of 21.5%. Our study found that the Framingham general CVD risk score to have moderate discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.63 [c-statistic or c-index]. It also discriminates well for Malay (AUC 0.65, p=0.01), Chinese (AUC 0.60, p=0.03), and Indians (AUC 0.65, p=0.001). There was good calibration with Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ(2)=3.25, p=0.78.
    CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account that this cohort of patients were already on treatment, the Framingham General CVD Risk Prediction Score predicts fairly accurately for men and overestimates somewhat for women. In the absence of local risk prediction charts, the Framingham general CVD risk prediction chart is a reasonable alternative for use in a multiethnic group in a primary care setting.
    Study site: Primary care clinic,University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  17. Deurenberg-Yap M, Chew SK, Lin VF, Tan BY, van Staveren WA, Deurenberg P
    Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord., 2001 Oct;25(10):1554-62.
    PMID: 11673781 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801739
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) and body fat distribution as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) on the cardiovascular risk factor profile of the three major ethnic groups in Singapore (Chinese, Malay and Indian people) and to determine if WHO recommended cut-off values for BMI and WHR are appropriate for the different sub-populations in Singapore.
    DESIGN: Cross-sectional population study.
    SUBJECTS: A total of 4723 adult subjects (64% Chinese individuals, 21% Malay individuals and 15% Indian individuals) were selected through a multi-staged sampling technique to take part in the National Health Survey in 1998.
    MEASUREMENTS: Data on socio-economic status (education level, occupation, housing type) and lifestyle habits (smoking and physical activity), body weight, body height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure measured using standardised protocols. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained for determination of serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG). Venous blood samples were taken for 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (2 h glu).
    RESULTS: Absolute and relative risks for at least one cardiovascular risk factor (elevated TC, elevated TC/HDL ratio, elevated TG, hypertension and diabetes mellitus) were determined for various categories of BMI and WHR. At low categories of BMI (BMI between 22 and 24 kg/m(2)) and WHR (WHR between 0.80 and 0.85 for women, and between 0.90 and 0.95 for men), the absolute risks are high, ranging from 41 to 81%. At these same categories the relative risks are significantly higher compared to the reference category, ranging from odds ratio of 1.97 to 4.38. These categories of BMI and WHR are all below the cut-off values of BMI and WHR recommended by WHO.
    CONCLUSIONS: The results show that, at relatively low BMI and WHR, Singaporean adults experience elevated levels of risks (absolute and relative) for cardiovascular risk factors. These findings, in addition to earlier reported high percentage body fat among Singaporeans at low levels of BMI, confirm the need to revise the WHO cut-off values for the various indices of obesity and fat distribution, viz BMI and WHR, in Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  18. Teoh MK, Ramasamy D, Wong KP
    Aust N Z J Surg, 1992 Nov;62(11):862-5.
    PMID: 20169704
    Ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta was performed on 100 patients with cardiovascular disease and a control group of 100 subjects. The objectives were to define the normal aortic size of Malaysians, to screen for aneurysms and to compare the aorta size of the different population groups. In the study group the mean anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the non-aneurysmal aortas at the level of the renal arteries was 1.82 cm (range 0.9-2.6 cm) in men and 1.83 cm (range 1.5-2.3 cm) in women. This compares with 1.61 cm (range 1.1-2.2 cm) in men and 1.50 cm (range 0.8-2.4 cm) in women in the control group. The dimensions of the infrarenal aorta show a similar relationship between the two groups. These AP diameters were significantly smaller than the published figures from studies done on Western populations and are consistent with the smaller stature of Malaysians. Five aneurysms and one ectasia were found (mean size 5 cm, range 3.5-6.0 cm), all in men aged 50-75 years in the study group, and none in the control group. All the aneurysms were easily palpable in these patients who were thinner than the average Caucasian. Given the lower incidence of aortic aneurysms in Malaysians there is no role for routine ultrasound screening of the population. High risk groups can be adequately screened by clinical examination alone.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
  19. Aris IM, Bernard JY, Chen LW, Tint MT, Pang WW, Lim WY, et al.
    Int J Epidemiol, 2017 04 01;46(2):513-525.
    PMID: 27649801 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyw232
    Background: : Infant body mass index (BMI) peak has received much interest recently as a potential predictor of future obesity and metabolic risk. No studies, however, have examined infant BMI peak in Asian populations, in whom the risk of metabolic disease is higher.

    Methods: : We utilized data among 1020 infants from a mother-offspring cohort, who were Singapore citizens or permanent residents of Chinese, Malay or Indian ethnicity with homogeneous parental ethnic backgrounds, and did not receive chemotherapy, psychotropic drugs or have diabetes mellitus. Ethnicity was self-reported at recruitment and later confirmed using genotype analysis. Subject-specific BMI curves were fitted to infant BMI data using natural cubic splines with random coefficients to account for repeated measures in each child. We estimated characteristics of the child's BMI peak [age and magnitude at peak, average pre-peak velocity (aPPV)]. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), BMI, sum of skinfolds (SSF) and fat-mass index (FMI) were measured during a follow-up visit at age 48 months. Weighted multivariable linear regression was used to assess the predictors (maternal BMI, gestational weight gain, ethnicity, infant sex, gestational age, birthweight-for-gestational age and breastfeeding duration) of infant BMI peak and its associations with outcomes at 48 months. Comparisons between ethnicities were tested using Bonferroni post-hoc correction.

    Results: : Of 1020 infants, 80.5% were followed up at the 48-month visit. Mean (SD) BMI, SSF and FMI at 48 months were 15.6 (1.8) kg/m 2 , 16.5 (5.3) mm and 3.8 (1.3) kg/m 2 , respectively. Mean (SD) age at peak BMI was 6.0 (1.6) months, with a magnitude of 17.2 (1.4) kg/m 2 and pre-peak velocity of 0.7 (0.3) kg/m 2 /month. Compared with Chinese infants, the peak occurred later in Malay {B [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64 mo (0.36, 0.92)]} and Indian infants [1.11 mo (0.76, 1.46)] and was lower in magnitude in Indian infants [-0.45 kg/m 2 (-0.69, -0.20)]. Adjusting for maternal education, BMI, gestational weight gain, ethnicity, infant sex, gestational age, birthweight-for-gestational-age and breastfeeding duration, higher peak and aPPV were associated with greater BMI, SSF and FMI at 48 months. Age at peak was positively associated with BMI at 48 months [0.15 units (0.09, 0.22)], whereas peak magnitude was associated with SBP [0.17 units (0.05, 0.30)] and DBP at 48 months [0.10 units (0.01, 0.22)]. Older age and higher magnitude at peak were associated with increased risk of overweight at 48 months [Relative Risk (95% CI): 1.35 (1.12-1.62) for age; 1.89 (1.60-2.24) for magnitude]. The associations of BMI peak with BMI and SSF at 48 months were stronger in Malay and Indian children than in Chinese children.

    Conclusions: : Ethnic-specific differences in BMI peak characteristics, and associations of BMI peak with early childhood cardio-metabolic markers, suggest an important impact of early BMI development on later metabolic outcomes in Asian populations.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology*
  20. Yap RW, Shidoji Y, Hon WM, Masaki M
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2012;21(2):302-11.
    PMID: 22507619
    Dietary pattern and genetic predisposition of each population have different impacts on lifestyle-related chronic diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the association and interaction between dietary patterns and VEGFR2 or KDR gene polymorphisms on physical and biochemical risk factors of cardiovascular disease in two Asian populations (179 Chinese Malaysian and 136 Japanese adults).
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology
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