Sudden cardiac death in the Kazakh and Han peoples of Xinjiang, China: A comparative cross-sectional study

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major cause of mortality in China. This study collected reference data for future programs of prevention of SCD among the ethnic Kazakh and Han populations in Xinjiang, China. From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, 2 monitoring locations in northern Xinjiang China were utilized. These locations were selected based on the geographic, economic, and administrative structures of the ethnic Kazakh settlements in Xinjiang. Investigators were trained to investigate SCDs in Kazakh and Han people, a study population totaling more than 400,000. The populations were compared for SCD incidence. The average age of the Han population was significantly higher than that of the Kazakh. During the year 2015, there were 135 SCDs, specifically 67 and 68 in the Han and Kazakh populations, respectively, incidences of 37.94 and 36.2 per 100,000. After standardizing for age, the incidence in these populations was 29.36 and 51.85 per 100,000. Among those who experienced SCD, the prevalence of hypertension was higher in the Kazakh group than in the Han. The multivariate analysis of populations with SCD showed that, among the patients with coronary heart disease, the Kazakh were more likely to have SCD than the Han (odds ratio: 3.58, confidence interval: 1.18–10.95). Among the elderly, the incidence of SCD was much higher in the Kazakh population than in the Han population. Basic medical services and health education should be strengthened in the Kazakh pastoral areas.