Acute coronary syndrome and ethnicity: observations from the Middle East.

Overview

AIMS: To evaluate the presentation and outcome of South Asian (SAP) to Middle Eastern Arabs (MEAP) patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively in Qatar between 1991 and 2010, and were analyzed according to patient ethnicity. RESULTS: Of 14,593 acute coronary syndrome patients, 49% were MEAP and 51% were SAP. When compared with MEAP, SAP were younger, males and smokers (p < 0.01). Other cardiovascular risk factors were less common in SAP when compared with MEAP. ST-elevation myocardial infarction and the use of evidence-based medications were more prevalent among SAP (all p < 0.001). Compared to MEAP, SAP had better in-hospital outcomes; however, ethnicity was not an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: In contrary to data from Western countries, SAP living in the Middle East are younger with lower cardiovascular risk profile and better outcomes when compared with Arab patients. However, further studies are warranted.