Ethnic and socio-economic inequalities in coronary heart disease, diabetes and risk factors in Europeans and South Asians

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that in Europeans and South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis) alike, worse socio-economic status is associated with a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD), glucose intolerance (impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes) and related risk factors (the predicted direction of association). METHODS: Cross-sectional data were analysed from a community-based prevalence study seeking associations between social class, education and Townsend deprivation score and ECG evidence of CHD, glucose tolerance test and 12 cardiovascular risk factors. The study population consisted of South Asians (n = 684) comprising Indians (n = 259), Pakistanis (n = 305) and Bangladeshis (n = 120), and Europeans (n = 825), aged 25-74 years in Newcastle. The analysis…