AbstractPDF
Abstract
Objectives: To study the age- and sex-specific incidence
rates of first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among
first-generation ethnic minority groups (henceforth,
migrant groups) and the Dutch majority population in the
Netherlands during two time periods (2000-2004 and
2005-2010). Methods: Through linkage of Dutch nationwide registers, first AMI events in the Dutch majority population and the major migrant groups living in the Netherlands were identified from 2000-2004 and 2005-2010. Absolute incidence rates were calculated within each age-sex-periodcountry of birth group.
Results: Regardless of ethnic background, AMI incidence
rates were higher in men than in women and increased
with age. Incidence significantly declined over time
among the Dutch majority population (men: -26.8%,
women: -26.7%), and among most migrant groups
under study. It was only in Moroccan migrants that AMI
incidence significantly increased over time (men: 25.2%,
women: 41.7%). Trends differed between age categories,
but did not show a consistent pattern. The higher AMI
incidence in Surinamese men and women and Turkish
and Indonesian men compared with the Dutch majority
population persisted over time, but decreased with age
and became absent after 70 years of age. Moroccans
had a significantly lower incidence compared with the
Dutch majority population during 2000-2004, which
disappeared during 2005-2010. Conclusion: Primary preventive strategies should focus on Surinamese men and women and Turkish and Indonesian men below 70 years of age. Future research is necessary to unravel the factors that provoke the increasing AMI incidence over time among Moroccans.
