Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate is higher among ethnic South Asian compared to ethnic Chinese ischemic stroke patients. Is this attributable to metabolic syndrome or central obesity?
De Silva, D.A. Woon, F.-P. Chen, C. Chang, H.-M. Wong, M.-C.
Woon, F.-P.
Wong, M.-C.
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Abstract
Inflammation, a vascular risk factor, is more pronounced among ethnic South Asians compared to ethnic Chinese in the general population. We compared serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels between ethnic South Asian and Chinese acute ischemic stroke patients, and further investigated if metabolic syndrome or central obesity could account for any difference detected. We prospectively recruited consecutive ischemic stroke patients within seven days of onset. Measurement of serum ESR was performed within two days of admission. Median serum ESR was higher among the 55 ethnic South Asian (16 mm/h IQR 3-35) compared to the 165 ethnic Chinese patients (9 mm/h IQR 4-19), p = 0.004). Serum ESR was correlated with age. Higher serum ESR was associated with female gender, non-smokers, patients with central obesity and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Using regression analysis, South Asian ethnicity remained significantly associated with serum ESR, independent of age, gender, smoking status, metabolic syndrome, central obesity and low HDL. Ethnic South Asian ischemic stroke patients have a higher inflammatory state compared to ethnic Chinese patients. As the higher inflammatory state is independent of demographic and risk factors, we propose an underlying genetic or cultural basis for the ethnic difference. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Central obesity, Chinese, Inflammation, Ischemic stroke, Metabolic syndrome, Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate, South Asian
Source Title
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
Publisher
Series/Report No.
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Date
2009-01-15
DOI
10.1016/j.jns.2008.09.015
Type
Article