Israel Medical Association Journal
Volume 2, Issue 3, 2000, Pages 207-210

Diabetes and ischemic heart disease among Yemenite immigrants in Israel (Article)

Weingarten M.A.* , Katzir I. , Sprecher E. , Kobzantsev S. , Zelzer C. , Kahan E.
  • a Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israel
  • b Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israel
  • c Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israel
  • d Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israel
  • e Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israel
  • f Dept. of Family Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israel

Abstract

Background: The pattern of diabetes and ischemic heart disease among emigrants from pre-industrialized societies to more developed countries may be explained by both genetic and environmental factors. Objectives: To describe and interpret the pattern of diabetes and ischemic heart disease among Yemenite immigrants in Israel and their second-generation offspring. Methods: Medical record charts of adult Yemenites were surveyed in a primary care health center, and the data were compared with prevalence rates derived from a non-Yemenite population. Results: There was a marked excess of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus among Yemenite immigrants over 45 years of age, but not of hypertension or ischemic heart disease. Yemenites with diabetes were far less likely to develop ischemic heart disease than non-Yemenites with diabetes (odds ratio for non-Yemenites compared with Yemenites, 3.5; confidence interval 1.54<OR<7.77). Conclusions: There was less of an association between diabetes and ischemic heart disease among Yemenites. This finding requires further investigation of the relative roles of genetic and environmental factors.

Author Keywords

heart disease immigrants Yemenites Community survey diabetes

Index Keywords

Yemen immigrant Israel non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 community human middle aged controlled study hypertension Aged Humans male female Jew prevalence Article major clinical study Myocardial Ischemia adult ischemic heart disease Emigration and Immigration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0033843493&partnerID=40&md5=7920b1e2ab74b2f41156e3016bdf9ae3
ISSN: 15651088
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English