Impact of country of birth on arterial function in subjects living in France

Abstract

Affect of country of birth on arterial function in subjects (14,818 men and 9121 women) living in Paris but born in France or elsewhere in Europe (67%), Africa (25%), Asia (5%), and French Overseas Departments and Territories (3%) was investigated. Pulsatile hemodynamics involved central augmentation index (CAI) and central (carotid) pulse pressure (CPP). In African-born subjects compared with those born in France, age, blood pressure, overweight, and diabetes were factors associated with hypertension, but cardiovascular and renal impairment were absent. Asian-born subjects differed from others with lower body weight and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, but higher plasma triglycerides and heart rate. Men's and women's pulsatile changes revealed significant interactions with CAI, and to a lesser extent with CPP, between gender and country of birth, particularly for African- and European-born subjects. For all the latter countries, increased cardiovascular risk of mortality, evaluated with Framingham scores, was highly significant but mainly for men. These data show that country-of-birth impact necessitated subdividing populations into men and women; at-risk populations were born in Africa, Asia, and Europe but less frequently in France; factors involving country-of-birth impact require further research on hereditary and environmental (frequently socioeconomic) factors but also geography and climate.