Abstract
We reviewed the ward admission notes of 211 Indian and 192 European patients admitted over a period of 12 months to a coronary care unit. More Indian patients had myocardial infarctions (34% vs 27%, p < 0.05); they were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (47% vs 14%, p < 0.001), but less likely to smoke (19% vs 67%, p < 0.001). Fewer Indian patients were treated with thrombolysis (49% vs 80%, p < 0.001), late presentation being the principal reason (62% vs 40%, p < 0.05). The referral rates for exercise stress testing and cardiac catheterisation were not significantly lower for Indian patients. The Indian patient admitted into a coronary care unit is more likely to have had a myocardial infarction and yet less likely to receive care comparable to that of his European counterpart.
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Contributor Information
J T Lear, SHO in General Medicine, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
I G Lawrence, Registrar in General Medicine.
J E F Pohl, Consultant in General Medicine.
A C Burden, Consultant in General Medicine Leicester General Hospital.