Roma Ethnicity and Sex-Specific Associations of Serum Uric Acid with Cardiometabolic and Hepatorenal Health Factors in Eastern Slovakian Population: The HepaMeta Study.

Background: Health characteristics associated with uric acid (UA) in the Roma minority remain less well known. The study sought to determine the ethnicity- and sex-specific associations of serum UA with health factors in Eastern Slovakian Roma and non-Roma populations. Methods: Data from the comparative cross-sectional HepaMeta study conducted in Slovakia in 2011 were used. The study enrolled 452 Roma subjects (35.2% men) and 403 non-Roma individuals (45.9% men) aged 18-55 years. Results: All study parameters differed between the sexes in both the Roma and non-Roma participants (p < 0.05). UA was related to sex with odds ratio for female sex 0.873, 95% CI 0.853-0.893 (p < 0.0001) per 10-unit increase of UA. Average level of UA ± standard deviation was lower in Roma than in non-Roma (226.54 ± 79.8 vs. 259.11 ± 84.53 umol/L; p < 0.0001). The Roma population presented with greater levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (3.07 ± 4 mg/L vs. 1.98 ± 2.83 mg/L; p < 0.0001) and ferritin in Roma males (403.78 ± 391.84 vs. 302.67 ± 236.26 mg/L; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Serum UA is sex- and ethnicity specific. Elevated levels of hsCRP and ferritin particularly in Roma males can reflect low-grade systemic inflammation and thus serve as a marker of an increased cardiovascular risk.

The Roma Population Living in Segregated Settlements in Eastern Slovakia Has a Higher Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome, Kidney Disease, Viral Hepatitis B and E, and Some Parasitic Diseases Compared to the Majority Population.

Background: The Roma population is one of the largest marginalized population groups in Europe. The aim of our work was to summarize the morbidity of lifestyle-related diseases and infectious diseases in the Roma population living in segregated settlements. Methods: We used data from the cross-sectional study HepaMeta, in which we examined 452 Roma subjects with an average age of 34.7 ± 9.1 years, 35.2% of which were men, and 403 non-Roma subjects with an average age of 33.5 ± 7.4 years, 45.9% of which were men. We collected data by means of a questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and we analyzed blood and urine samples. Results: Roma subjects had a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome (RR: 1.478 (1.159-1.885), p < 0.0001), obesity or waist circumference >94 cm in men/80 cm in women (RR: 1.287 (1.127-1.470), p < 0.0001), and HDL-C < 1.03 mmol/L in men or <1.29 in women (RR: 2.004 (1.730-2.321), p < 0.0001) than their non-Roma counterparts. Subjects of the Roma population were more frequently diagnosed with kidney disease (RR: 1.216 (1.096-1.349), p < 0.0001), HBsAg positivity (RR: 4.468 (2.373-8.415), p < 0.0001), anti HBc IgG positivity (RR: 3.13 (2.598-4.224), p < 0.0001), and anti HEV positivity (RR: 2.972 (1.226-7.287), p < 0.0001). Serological markers of Toxoplasma gondii infection and Toxocara spp. were observed much more frequently among Roma than non-Roma subjects (RR: 1.868 (1.520-2.296), p < 0.0001, for Toxoplasma gondii; and RR: 21.812 (8.097-58.761), p < 0.0001, for Toxocara spp.). Conclusions: Poor socio-economic conditions, an unhealthy lifestyle, and barriers precluding access to healthcare are factors that affect the Roma population in settlements and lead to an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components, kidney disease, viral hepatitis B and E, and some parasitic diseases.