Electrocardiographic abnormalities amongst Melanesian and Indian men of Fiji: prevalence and associated factors

Electrocardiograms were performed on 427 Melanesian and 391 Indian males aged 30-69 years surveyed in 1980. The age-adjusted prevalence of abnormalities in Minnesota coding suggesting coronary arterial disease was: Indians - 17.1%, Melanesians - 9.1%. This difference was significant at P < 0.001. For the Melanesians body mass index, plasma uric acid, cholesterol and triglyceride and systolic blood pressure showed significant positive associations with electrocardiographic abnormalities in a univariate analysis, but only the plasma uric acid level was independently associated with such abnormalities following adjustment for these other factors in a multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). For the Indians body mass index, systolic blood pressure, the presence of diabetes, urban residence and physical inactivity were positively associated with electrocardiographic abnormalities in the univariate analysis, but only body mass index (P < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.01), and the 2-hour glucose level (P < 0.01) were independently associated with such abnormalities when adjustment was made for the levels of the other factors.