Niveles de lípidos y de presión arterial en población mapuche de la Región de la Araucanía, en Chile / Blood pressure and serum lipid levels in Chilean aboriginal populations (Mapuche) living in the Chilean region of Araucania

Background: Chilean aboriginal populations (Mapuche) predominantly live in the region of Araucanía, in the southern part of the country. Their cardiovascular risk factors have not been systematically assessed. Aim: To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Mapuche population. Subjects and methods: Blood pressure, weight, height, dietary habits, fasting serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 1.948 adults living in 28 Mapuche communities. Results: Thirteen percent of males and 16 percent of females had high blood pressure. Body mass index was 25.5 kg/m2 in males and 28.1 kg/m2 in females. Forty five percent of women and 24 percent of men were classified as obese. Mean serum total cholesterol was 186.7ñ9.6 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol was 58.7ñ30.7 mg/dl, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol was 3.4ñ2 and triglycerides were 155.2ñ91.2 mg/dl. Twenty eight percent of males and 9.6 percent of females smoked. Conclusions: Mapuche individuals have higher levels of HDL cholesterol, a better total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio and lower frequency of smoking than non aboriginal Chileans subjects

Experiencia clínica con un inhibidor de la alfa glucosidasa (acarbosa) en el tratamiento de la diabetes no insulinodependiente: estudio multicéntrico / Multicentric study on the effect of an alpha glucosidase inhibitor in the treatment of non insulin dependent diabetes

Diabetic patients received acarbose, 150 mg/day durign four weeks and this dose was increased to 300 mg/day durign 3 months. Afterwards, patients were followed for a period of 12 weeks without acarbose. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin were measured sequentially durign the study. Results: Eighty five patients were recruited for the study but 64 complied with the treatment protocol. The age of these patients was 56 ñ 8.8 years old, their diabetes duration was 7.8 ñ 8.8 years and their body mass index was 27.6 ñ 3.6 kg/m². During acarbose treatment, glycosilated hemoglobin decreased from 8.36 ñ 1.33 to 7.71 + 1.7 percent (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose decreased from 173 ñ 48 to 159 ñ 59 mg/dl (p < 0.03) and post-prandial blood glucose decreased from 254 ñ 80 to 241 ñ mg/dl (NS). After discontinuing acarbose glycosilated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels returned to basal levels. Body weight and blood pressure did not change during the treatment period. Fifty nine patients bad gastrointestinal symptoms (meteorism, flatulence and abdominal distention) that were mild in 59 percent and moderate in 39 percent. Episodes of hypoglycemia were not observed. Conclusions: Acarbose, associated to sylphonylureas is an effective drug to reduce blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin levels in patients with non insulin dependent diabetes