Cardiovascular risk factors of the Circassian population in Israel

Background; This study concerns the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Circassian community in Israel, a genetically homogeneous population that has never been studied. The Circassians, distinct both from Jews and Arabs, arrived in the Middle East from the Caucasus Mountain region more than a century ago. They live in relative isolation in two small villages in Northern Israel, preserving their language and heritage. Methods: The study sample was comprised of 450 women and 289 men. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the ssociation of lifestyle and biological factors with coronary heart disease (CHD) and lipoprotein levels. Results:. Prevalence rates of CHD were higher in men than in women, and in subjects with diabetes mellitus. In Circassian males of all ages, high-density llipoprotein (HDL) levels were lower than in Jewish males. Plasma triglyceride levels in Circassian men and women were higher than in Jewish subjects. The prevalence rates of obesity and hypertension were higher among Circassian women compared to Jewish women. By logistic regression, prevalence of CHD among Circassians was significantly and independently related to age, diabetes, body-mass index, and smoking; diabetes was the strongest risk factor. Conclusions: The high frequencies of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, higher plasma triglycerides, and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations in this population contribute to Syndrome X theory and its relation to cardiovascular disease. These findings emphasize the importance of diabetes and its associated variables as risk factors for CHD in Circassian population.